Written in the mid-nineteenth century, this description of Brazilian culture introduces the South American country to Western eyes, explaining every detail of the culture and society with avid curiosity. Fletcher and Kidder take a missionary's perspective and refer constantly to Christianity and its reaction in Brazil. Every aspect of this foreign land is extensively analyzed and discussed, finding every detail just as fascinating as the next.
Much of the account centers on the capital Rio de Janeiro, where the Monarch resides and Parliament holds sessions. The authors give their views on everything from politics to slavery in Brazil, reiterating that it is not merely rainforest but also a constitutional monarchy and growing territory. The work explores a period of twenty years, and attempts to portray the history of the country, and, by way of an ongoing narrative of experiences and incidents connected to travelling across Brazil, to make known the manners and customs of the country.