gems, Brazil, diamond, topaz, gold

A two-volume geographical, historical and topographical account of Brazil and Buenos Aires compiled by Josiah Conder as part of his extensive Modern Traveller series. Drawing on the published narratives of earlier travelers and explorers rather than on Conder’s own travels, the work describes the geography, cities, inhabitants, government, commerce and natural productions of Brazil and the Río de la Plata region. Of particular interest to mineralogical and gemological research are its notices of the mining districts and mineral wealth of Brazil, reflecting contemporary European knowledge of the country’s gold, diamonds and other valuable natural resources. The work provides a useful synthesis of early nineteenth-century travel literature on South America.