The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-02-05
pEnRo,s pRMArEIlEE
The Education and Habits of the Ex-Em.
peror, and How He Passed His Time.

Much has been said recently about
the political and historical side of the
life of Emperor Dom Pedro III. of
Brazil, 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 scrutlnlzing
with deep interest the marvels eXhib-
tied at the Centennial Exhibition, or
when he was not travelling through the
United States, which he admired and
lauded so warmly and frankly he liked tc
stay in New York, where he lived at the
Buckingham Hotel. Here as in Paris,
where he often rode on the top of omni-
buses, Dom Pedro was fond of entering
a horse car and having chat with his
neighbors in the public vehicle. which
was an easy thing for him, as he spoke
perfect English.
The knowledge of many languages
was but small part of the scholarly
requirements of the Brazilian monarch,
who was as much of savant as of an
Emperor, and who has been received,
not on account of his title, but as a re-
ward for his numerous scientific works,
as a member of the famous Institute of
France and of most of the European
academies. His education was begun
by the venerable Bishop of Chryso-
polls and by the famous Liberal leader,
Andrada Sylvia, who had been recalled
from exile, where he was sent by his
ungrateful party. Dom Pedro, when l
year old, lost his mother Leopoldine,
an Austrian Archduchess and sister
of Marie Louise, the second wife of Ma
poleon |. He was only years old
when, in 1881, his father, Dom Pedro
l., abdicated in his favor and left
Brazil. The poor boy was thus left
quite alone in the world, and he felt
himself still more isolated when at 10
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 a medi-
tative and grave young man. His in
telligence became 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 acquired caused the
regents, tired of exercising power
amidst the difficulties of the time in
Brazil, to advance the epoch of his
majority, and to proclaim Dom Pedro
H., Emperor three years before the age
fixed by law for declaring that minor
ity has ceased for Brazilian citizens.
He was only IA when his reign began
practically for him.
Dom Pedro is tall, robust and of
splendid bearing; his hair and beard
have grown white prematurly. His
blue eyes have a deep look; his face,
frank and open, inspires a great SYM
pathy at the first glance. He speaks
easily, and listens with polite interest.
His residence at Rio Janeiro, which is
his own property, as is his castle of
Petropolis, is called San Christovo.
The Imperial palace, former residence
of the Portuguese Viceroys, was in
dilapidated condition, and the Parlia-
ment intended to rebuild it for the use
of Dom Pedro, who dec lined saying:
fsHow can we think of building
palace, when we have not enough
schools and useful establishments.
During the Summer, which in the
Southern hemisphere corresponds to
Northern Winter, the Court resided at
the castle of Petropolis situated north
ward of Rio Jeneiro a half days
journey. This is charming place,
which reminds me of Saratoga, or Ems
in Europe. 1t is built on the side of
mountain, and surrounded with a real
village, composed of villas belonging
to the high society of Rio Janeiro, to
the members of the diplomatic Corps
and of the aristocracy of the Brazilian
provinces.
Dom Pedro liked Petropolis so much
that he used to leave it only on Satur-
days to go to Rio to preside at the Min
listers Councils, which were held at
s p. m. on account of the heat in that
tropical climate. The Emperor got up
at o'clock. though he retired very late
at night. His first occupation in the
morning consisted in reading news
papers. At 9 he breakfasted in
Yankee fashion," as he used to say
after his soiourn here. He ate SO
rapidly that his guests, anxious to an
swer the innumerable questions he con-
stantly propounded to them often left
the table hungry. Once he was to open
railroad, and he had taken along with
him the Ambassador of a great
European power. The latter invited to
breakfast with the Emperor at the
buffet of the station, saw Dom Pedro
getting up after few minutes, during
which the diplomat had kept answer
ing the questions asked by His Majesty.
The Ambassador had to follow His I'm
perial host with an empty stomach, and
with long journey yet to accomplish.
But before leaving the table and fol-
lowing the Emperor, who had already
turned his back, and was moving in
the direction of the train, the famished
guest rapidly seized upon cakes spread
on the table, forced them into his
pocket and managed to eat them, with
out being seen, during the remainder
of the trip.
Every morning the Emperor used to
hold audiences and listen to everybody
who chose to present him a request.
Aside from these audiences daily given
to savants, artists, merchants, etc.,
Dom Pedro received once a week in the
palace yard the lower classes, or rather
the poor and those in want, to whom
he distributed money from big bags
held by two chamberlains. After the
audience he entered his carriage and
paid visits to schools, hospitals, naval
ships, barracks, etc. In the evenings
the Emperor worked in his library or
went to some theater, always with
some member of his family. His life
has been patriarchal one and he has
won universal esteem for his public and
private charities. Y. Tribune.
Louisiana CreoIes.
The usual impression obtaining con-
cerning creoles is that thew are all of