Outside of the plantations, slavery in Brazil was not an abused institution, the slaves in private houses being almost invariably regarded and treated as members of the family. In recognition of this enlightened measure, removing the last stain of slavery from the new world, Pope Leo XIII has sent the golden rose to the princess regent of Brazil. Dom Pedro II is the son of the first Brazilian emperor, and grandson of Kind John of Portugal. He succeeded to the throne on the abdication of his father in 1831, and was crowned ten years later. In 1843 Dom Pedro was married to a daughter of the king of Sicily.
Brazil is at all times peacefully inclined.
In the first place the emperor, Dom Pedro, is a comparatively old man, over three score years of age, in feeble health, which he tried to amend by a European tour. After him the crown will go to his daughter, the Princess Isabel, and then to his grandson. The royal family would oppose a war unless absolutely necessary for self-defense, and this in Brazil means much. Then, Brazil, though a country with a vast territory and a great future, is yet undeveloped and maintains but a small army, some fourteen thousand men. She is very largely in debt, and her financial resources are somewhat limited.