The religion of the country is Roman Catholic, but all religions are tolerated; and I have much hope for the future of Brazil, in spite of the priests." "And do ye git much out o' the di'mond mines ?" inquired Barney, whose mind was running on this subject.
"O yes, a great deal.

Every year many are got, and Government gets one-fifth of the value of all the gold and diamonds found in the country.
One diamond was found a short time ago which was worth 40,000." "Ye don't say so!" exclaimed Barney in great surprise, as he blew an immense cloud of smoke from his lips.

"Now, that's extror'nary.

Why don't everybody go to the mines and dig up their fortin at wance ?" "Because men cannot _eat_ diamonds," replied the hermit gravely.
"Troth, I niver thought o' that; ye're right." Martin laughed heartily as he lay in his hammock and watched his friend's expression while pondering this weighty subject.
"Moreover," resumed the hermit, "you will be surprised to hear that diamond and gold finding is not the most profitable employment in this country.
"The man who cultivates the ground is better off than anybody.

It is a fact, a very great fact, a fact that you should get firmly fixed in your memory--that in less than _two years_ the exports of sugar and coffee amounted to more than the value of all the diamonds found in _eighty_ years.