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tinually excited European covetousness by discovering mines of gold and other metals, and by bringing back with them thousands of captives, or, as the term then was, "rescued men," whose lives they were by law permitted to purchase.

Frequent and furious were the contests between these laymen and the Jesuits, who strove to defend the hapless indigens and to preserve the rights and privileges of the savage freeman. The Regulars never feared to resist their brother "Conquistadores," who, under a variety of pretexts, converted to their own use the persons and property of the "Indians and Gentiles." The Fathers were assisted by the respect of the people, by the superstitious belief of the age, and, at first, by the public conviction of their pure intentions. But presently the successors of the early Thaumaturgi and Apostles showed that their defence of the "native" was limited to preserving him from all except themselves; whilst hands were wanting to others, their own lands were tilled and their coffers were filled to overflowing. This monopoly of precious labour led to discontent, and the latter engendered a succession of tumults, which ended in the first expulsion of the Jesuits from São Paulo.

The catechised Indians, known as "Caboclos," formed a separate class, at once submissive and devout; simple, active, and industrious. It was composed chiefly of mechanics, agriculturists, musicians and singers. All learned the offices and delighted in the feasts of the Church, in splendid ceremonies, and especially in long and pompous processions; briefly, in all things which appealed to the eye of sense. They obeyed and revered the Jesuits as their fathers and friends, their masters and protectors, their medicine-men and their guardian angels. They listened to their counsels, they attended the schools in which the Portuguese language and grammar were taught: they sought to understand the explanation of the