The Republican journal., 1904-11-03

1890. On the memorable morning the
citizens assembled at sunrise in the
Campo da Santa Anna to demand of
the Emperor that he restore the Minis
try which the people preferred. The
request had previously been urged with
out avail, and on this day the throne
tottered because the national guard
and a considerable portion of the army
had gone over to the side of the popu-
lace. An adjutant was dispatched to
Sac Christavoa for final answer; and
the hard-headed king, unwilling to give
in, but knowing himself unable to cope
with vox populi, abdicated on the
spur of the moment in favor of his lit
| tie Son-the Dom Pedro, who lately
| died in exile after more than half
century of prosperous reign-then not
quite six years old 1t is related that
the adjutant returned to the Campo at
full gallop, waving aloft the decree of
abdication which was everywhere re-
ceived with demonstrations of Joy.
The infant sovereign was borne in
triumph to the city and the ceremony
of his acclimation as constitutional
Emperor and Perpetual Defender of
BRAZIL was performed amid widest
enthusiasm. Two days later, while his
mortified father still remained on board
French ship in the harbor, the baby
Dom held his first court reception in
the old palace down town. A tie deum
was chanted in the imperial chapel.
The troops appeared in review and an
immense concOurse of people, all wear
ing leaves of the ''avore nacional" as
the badge of loyalty, filled the streets.
They detached the horses from the
royal chariot and drew the king with
their own hands, and when carried
back to the palace somebody held him
in arms at window while the multi
tude of faithful subjects" passed be-
fore him. At fifteen the boy was in
vested with all the prerogatives of his
imperial throne. The day of his for
NAL conservation, July IS, ls4l, was
marked by one of the most imposing
celebrations that ever transpired in the
New World, followed by Examinations
and festivities for nine consecutive
days and night. At IS he was married
(by procuration) to Donna Theresa
Christiana Maria, daughter of Francis
l., King of the two Sicilies, the bride
being only two years old. The room
next to that in which Dom Pedro pere
rashly committed his own uncrowning
is the imperial bedchamber in which
Pedro No. II was born. Like the rest
of the suite, it is fitted up with French
furniture, its only Brazilian feature be-
ing number of immense jaguar skins
spread upon the floor, all the skins
with legs, feet and claws extended and
heads stuffed to perfectly represent
life, ranged in a circle around the top
lofty canopied bedstead, as if guarding
the occupants. This chamber, where
the last empress spent much of her
time, is so feet above the ground. with
folding French windows overlooking a
charming vista of forest and mountains,
groves and gardens.
The guard room comes next and in
its center is tiuted column, surround
ed by wivern, around which swords
and halberds are arranged. Marble
statues stand all around, Egyptian di-
whites, Pomona, Diana, Medicean
Venus, and the same unfashionably
formed female leaving her bath, which
has evidently not been thorough, iudg-
ing from the dust which lies thick upon
her shoulders. Beyond this room in
the chapel, with Our Lady of Sorrows
upon it's altar, and by her side Saint
Anthony holding the Blessed Babe.
The most conspicuous feature in this
i historic sanctuary is huge painting of
Saint Peter de Alcantara, the patron of
| Portugal. There is a museum in the
building devoted to antiquities, which
contains, among many other interest
ing things, lot of ancient Peruvian
pottery; money that circulated in the
days of Socrates, Plato and Aristides;
coins of Rhodes, Rome. Thrace and
| Ithica and fine collection of antiqui-
ties from Pompeii which were presented
to the empress few years ago by her
brother Bomba of Naples.
Adjoining the museum is laboratory
set apart for experiments in natural
philosophy and chemistry, fitted up
with an air pump, electrical and other
apparatus, in which the late Emperor
.. is said to have greatly delighted. Next
comes complete little theatre, and up
on its drop-curtain is painted a scene
whose quiet sarcasm was probably not
intended by the artist. 1t is called
''The Landing of the Portuguese" and
represents group of astonished In
dians to whom a priest is offering a
crucifix, while company of frowning
warriors, with uplifted spears and bat
tie axes stand ready to back up the