LETTERS FROM BRAZIL 79 



It opened into a long gallery and presently we heard 

 some one coming down this entry in great haste walk- 

 ing very fast — as I supposed, an official of some 

 kind to show us to the Empress. But it was the Em- 

 peror himself, who greeted us with all cordiality and 

 invited us into an anteroom, — a handsome room, 

 very high, with inlaid floor and dark heavy furniture. 

 Here we sat down (I began to think the Empress was 

 a myth) and had a long chat in which my own part, 

 by the way, was that of listener. The Emperor wanted 

 to know what Agassiz had been doing, inquired after 

 the fishes, specimens, projects, etc., and was very 

 genial and pleasant. After about half an hour's chat 

 he asked us to come in and see the Empress and him- 

 self, ushered us into a third drawing-room ("veels 

 vithin veels"), where he went to the door and called 

 his wife like any other mortal. In rolled a little lady 

 with the sweetest possible expression, who seemed 

 very kindly and cordial, who invited us to take seats, 

 and, if I may so express myself in the presence of 

 royalty, "make ourselves generally at home." Really 

 if we had gone to make a sociable call on some friendly 

 acquaintance at home, there could hardly have been 

 more ease. This royal pair are so truly well bred 

 that it is impossible to feel any embarrassment. Their 

 simplicity and frankness are quite republican, though 

 I am afraid we must admit that their high breeding 

 partook more, perhaps, of the aristocratic element. 

 There is something peculiarly lovable and lovely about 

 the Empress. She looks so sympathetic and motherly, 

 and she seems to be thought among the people here 



