The Portland daily press., 1891-12-05

the ex-EmperOr, wereiAn expression of his
deep affection for Brbzil ard regret that he
could not go back there to die.
Pedro H., de Alcantara. was born at
Rio de Janeiro, December 2, 1925, He was
the son of Dom Pedro L, of Brsganza and
Bourbon and of Leopoldin, Archduchess of
Austria, and was thus the legitimate de-
scendant OF three great royal houses of
Europe = Braganza, Bourbon and
Hapsburg. He was proclaimed emperor
OF Brazil upon the abdication of his father,
In April, 1881, when the successor to the
throne was but five years CT age. The
government was at first administered by
council of regency and afterward by one
regent. In July, 1870, he was declared of
age by the Chambers and assumed the
sovereign power when not quite fifteen
years old: In 1843, he was married to the
Princess Theresa Christina Maria, sister of
Francis l., late King of Naples. The
Emperor early gave evidence of traits
which made him popular ruler and prob-
ably prolonged the life Of the empire. He
encouraged public works and during his
reign the water ways of his great country
were much improved. many of the rivers
General Urquiza, thus assisting In the over
throw of the Rosa. The results of this
intervention were an ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of
territory and the free navigation of the
Plate river. Dom Pedro's firm and ]udic
ious attitude in 1862, during the dispute
between his country and Great Britain
greatly enhanced his popularity. The
questions in dispute were submitted to ar
bitration and dec ded in favor of Brazil by
the King Of the Belgians. In 1865, the
Emperor entered into an alliance with
Uruguay and the Argentine Republic
The war began in 1866 and ragged with
varying features down to March /,
1870, when it was brought to a
close by the death of Lopez. In 1871
Dom Pedro issued decree providing for
the gradual abolition of slavery in his
domini0ns. This was one of the most i'm
itant events OF his reign. He encouraged
immigration ana colonizat alton, thus supply
ing free labor to supplement that Of the
former slaves. In 1871, the Emperor
visited Europe and in 1876 was in the
United States,
In November. 1889, the world was
startled by the news OF the overthrow of
the BraziliaI empire and the proclamation
of a republic. The Emperor. In 1887, went
to Europe on account OF his health and, in
his absence, the cares of government fell
upon the Crown Princess, DOna Ysabel.
The Princess was under the influence of
the Jesuts and her subsection was viewed
with suspicion by the people. In addition
to this, her husband. Castor a. Orleans,
Count d. Eu was dislked.
On May 13, 1883, the Crown Princess sud
denly issued decree for the unconditional
emancipation OF all the slaves who had not
secured liberty under the plan previously
adopted by Dom Pedro. Later suspicion
was aroused In the minds of the army off.
GERS that the Count d'Eu was plotting to
replace the regular army with a new body,
the national guard. These things at last re-
suited in revolution and In November, 1889,
the republic was proclaimed. The move
ment was entirely successful and the men,
bers of the Royal family were soon after
sent to Europe.
Dom Pedro was man of courteous man
ners and great culture. He wrote and
spoke tluently English. French, German.
Spanish and Italian, and was deeply yersed
In the literature of those languages, He
was corresponding member OF the SC ction
of navigation and geography Of the Acad-
emie des Sciences at Paris.