Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-26
DOM PEDRo's PRIVATE LIFE.
His Education and Habits and How He
Passed His Time.

Passed His Time.
From the New York Tribune
Much has been said in the last few days
about the political and historical side of
the life of Emperor Dom Pedro ii. of Bra
I'll, now an exile. But his private life is
less known to Americans, whom he visited,
however, in 1876. At that time, when he
was not scrutinizing with deep interest
the marvels exhibited at the centennial
exhibition, or when he was not travelling
through the United States, which he adj
mired and Landed so warmly and frankly,
he liked to stay in New York, where he
lived at the Buckingham Hotel. Here,
as in Paris, where he often rode on top of
omnibuses, Dom Pedro was fond of enter
ing a horse-car and having chat with his
neighbors in the public vehicle, which
was an easy thing for him, as he spoke per-
feet English.
The knowledge of many languages was
but small part of the scholarly acquire
ments of the Brazilian monarch, who was
as much of a savant as of an Emperor, and
who had been received, not on account of
his title, but as a reward for his numerous
scientific works. as a member Of the famous
institute of France and most of the Euro
pean academies. His education was be-
gun by the venerable Bishop of Chryopolis,
and by the famous liberal leader, Andrada
Sylvia, who had been recalled from exile,
where he was sent again by his ungrateful
party. Dom Pedro, when one year old,
LOST his mother, Leopoldine, an Austrian
Archduchess, and sister of Marie Louise,
the second wife of Napoleon L. He was
only FIVE years old when, in 1881, his
father, Dom Pedro l., abdicated in his
favor, and he left Brazil. The poor boy
was thus left quite alone in the world, and
he felt himself still more isolated when,
at ten years of age, he heard of his fathers
death in Portugal.
No wonder then that his character was
predisposed to a serious and even sad
view of life; that he was q meditative and
grave young man. His intelligence be-
came precocious he was anxious to work
and to study; so much so that he got up
at night sometimes and relighted the lamp
which had been carefully put out by the
worthy Bishop, his immediate tutor. The
qualities and strength of mind he had &C
quired caused the regents, tired of exercis-
ing power amid the difficulties of that
time in Brazil, to advance the epoch of
his majority, and to proclaim Dom Pedro
II, Emperor three years before the age
fixed by law for declaring that minority
has ceased for Brazilian citizens. He was
only fifteen when his reign began practi-
cally for him.
Dom Pedro is tall, robust and of splendid
bearing; his hair and his beard have
grown white prematurely. His blue eyes
have a deep look; his face, frank and
open, inspires great sympathy at the first
glance. He speaks easily and listens with
polite interest. His residence at Rio ia
neiro which is his own property, as is his
castle at Petropoiis, is called San Christie
vaor. The imperial palace, former resi-
dence of the Portuguese Fieeroys, was in
dilapidated condition, and Parliament
intended to rebuild it for the use of Dom
Pedro, who declined, saying: "How can
we think of building palace, when we
have not enough schools and useful estab-
Ilisbments" During the summer, which in
the Southern Hemisphere corresponds to
northern winter, the court resided al the
castle of Petropolis, situated northward of
Rio ,Janeiro half days journey. This is
"a charming place, which reminds one of
ESaratoga or Ems in Europe. Ii is built Oh