The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-11-07 00:00:00

BRAZIL.
-a.-

The following account of the Emperor and Imperial
family of Brazil is published in the New York papers.
It is stated to be extracted from the "Journal of a young
' gentleman engaged in commercial pursuits at Rio de
Janeiro."
Don Pedro the First, Emperor of Brazil, is the oldest son of the
present Ring of Portugal. The Empress, Lenpoldina, is a daughter
of the Emperor of Austria, and sister to Maria Louisa, widow of
the late Emperor Napoleon of France. The Emperor is about 30
years of age ; is a well made, genteel man, in appearance, and has
ei good looking Portuguese face. The Empress has not so many
personal charms as Maria Louisa was reputed to possess, but she
has a good natural German face, and as for her person, there is
enough of it to make up for any deficiency of beauty. She has
the reputation of being very amiable, and is much beloved. They
have five daughters. (moor whom was born while I was at Rio, on
the lit of August last; on which occasion, a hundred cannon an.
nounced the joyful event, the bells rang a merry peal, the city was
illuminated, and there was a total suspension of business on the
occasion. for three days.
And here I must give some account of the christening of the lit-
tle Princess. Donna Francisca Caroline-Soenna-Carlota-Leopoldins.
elott-Anjos-Itornana-I{avier.de- Paula-SI sfaella-
(forgone !
.1.13 in number.l The little thing might have had half
a dozen names more, but it is supecsed the ptiest could not hold
his breath any longer.
A week passed after the birth-day, and then came the christen.
jog, when there were again three more holydays. It took place on
the Sth August, at The Imperial Chapel in the Palace square. At
an early hour the Palace was thronged by the Nobility, officers, See.
and the whole great square was crowded,with spectators. The doors
and windows of all the buildings round were, hung with curtains of
crimson satin damask; and along platforin, reaching from the
Palace to the Chapel, was lined wish the some, inside the railing,
and richly carpeted. Workmanship :—.4. description of dila
tapestry is worth a chapter by itself, but, I cannet give it ; the de-
vices were scriptural subjecis, and the
.figures wrought in them
were as large as life. The interior of the Church, at all times
richly furnished, was on thin occasion splendidly fitted up. The
procession formed in the Palace, and moved along the platform,
(above FOOtiCal) tO Ulla& :it was truly imposing lii aypdar.
once. Millie court dresses and badges 'or distinction were worn
on this °erasion; but no ladies moved in the procession except the
Imperial Norse, who was covered wills lace and jewels. The infant
was carried its the arms of a nobleman of high rank, under a
canopy of white silk stuff, highly decorated, and supported by six
other officers of state ; than a host of chard) dignitaries and others ;
as the procession moved sere:al hundred magician., including two
bands of hors and bugles, blew such a blast u almost set the
Drina and Dignitaries dancing ! Several cannon roared, and a pro-
fusion of rocketa were let off at the church door. Such accompa-
niments as these, to the performance of a Christian institution,
though Interesting, excite not religious feeling. The most hal-
lowed of almost any one observed in honour of the great Author of
the religion we profess. contrasted very singularly indeed with the
simplicity, and reverence, the devout and holy feeling which are
manifested at the baptismal ceremony in a New England meeting-
house. I observed these fire-works and music on several occasions
introduced to help out a church display in their celebrations, and
they always seemed as much out of place, as a psalm singing so a
• trainband.
The residence of the imperial family of Brazil is called die
Palace of Saint Christophe, situated three or four miles from the
city, on slittle eminence in the centre of one of the richest sales in
the world. This valley extends a few miles, when the country
becomes mountainous and broken. Foreigners seldom make ex-
cursions furthe: than eight or ten miles from the city. Many of
the most opulent inhabitants of the city have country establish-
ments in this vicinity, and to a stranger, in pardcular, it is a de.
lightfuiride among them. The fields and gardens, in a high state
of cultivation, ate planted with coffee and the sugar cane. the orange
tree. plantains and bananas, the mamee apple, pines, &c. besides
a profusion of the family of Flora, which an inhospitable climate
discourages for ever from visiting their relations_ in cur country,
unless with r promise of being tenderly nursed in hot beds.
The palace of St. Christopher is a large massive pile, without
any particular plan, and comprises every order in architecture.
Except its size and location, there is nothing to admire, or of'
princely grandeur in its exterior. 1 bad not an opportunity to see
the inside of it : many panes of glom were broken in the front
windows, and other things seemed to have less attention than the
gentlemen's places in the neighbourhood. But it must be recollected
his Majesty has had but little leisure since he set up in the business
of Emperor.
Don Pedro keeps up a pretty large retinue, and at times has his
company of life guards, and many attendants with him ; but he
frequently rides out in a plaits dress. The Empress often accom-
panies hint on horseback ; and perhaps some of my modest coun-
trywomen will scarcely credit me when I say she invariably rides
astride and gallops off like a trooper 1 This fashion was probably
brought from Austria: I saw no other Instance of it, either in
Brazil or Portugal, but I have seen it before in Chili and in Pere.