Excerpt from The Modern Traveller, Vol. 29 of 30: A Description, Geographical, Historical, and Topographical of the Various Countries of the Globe
[An empire of South America, lying between lat. 4 deg. N. and 34 deg. S., and stretching from the 35th to the 72d deg. of W. long.: bounded on the N. by the Republic of Colombia, French Guiana, and the Atlantic; on the E. and S. E. by the same ocean; on the S. by the Rio de la Plata; on the W. by Paraguay and Peru.]
The name of Brazil, (derived from the wood so called,) was at first applied to only a small tract of the American coast, south of the Amazon river. It now comprehends the whole of the Portuguese colonies in South America, which, having been incorporated into a kingdom in December 1815, have since declared their independence under the government of the Prince Royal of Portugal, now Emperor of Brazil. A little more than three centuries ago, the existence of this vast country was unknown; and for thirty years after its accidental discovery, it was almost totally neglected by the Portuguese, who were not in the least degree aware of the importance of the
Chaucer mentions Brazil wood:
"Him needeth not his colour for to dien (dye)
With Brasil, ne with grain of Portingale." - The Nonnea Preestes Tale.
This is a decisive proof that the Brazil-wood was known by that name long before the discovery of America. In the inventory of the effects of Henry V. Rot. Parl. 2 H. VI. m. 20. is the following article: "II Graundes peces du Bracile, pris vi.s, viii.d."
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