182 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF DOM PEDRO II. 



accused of taking part with his enemies, himself furnished a pretext for 

 declaring war. 



Brazil then formed an alliance with General Urquiza, governor of a 

 province of the Argentine Confederation in revolt against Rosas. Their 

 united forces inarched against the despot and vanquished him on the 

 I'd of February, 1852, at Monte-Oasero, not far from Buenos Ay res. 

 Rosas embarked the same day for England. 



VI. 



From this period really began that progress which excites the admi- 

 ration of all who compare the Brazil of the present .with the Brazil of 

 twenty-live years ago. This beautiful era in the history of the vast em- 

 pire commenced with the abolition of the slave trade an immense 

 step toward civilization, followed by a veritable enthusiasm for commer- 

 cial and industrial enterprises; then were laid the first railroads, the 

 especial lines of which, such as those of state, received the guarantee of 

 an interest of 7 per cent. ; the companies for river and maritime navi- 

 gations were largely increased ; Europe was brought into communica- 

 tion with Brazil by means of steam ; gas was introduced into all the 

 great cities, and good roads were opened. Most of these enterprises 

 gave to agricultural industry, especially to the culture of coffee, sugar, 

 tobacco, and cotton, a marked impulse, and were thus of material bene- 

 fit to all classes of society. 



The satisfactory condition of the country allowed Dom Pedro to make 

 an excursion of several months to the northern part of Brazil, (1859.) 

 He visited in succession the provinces of Bahia, Pernambuco, d'Alagoas, 

 and Parahyba. He was everywhere welcomed with great enthusiasm, 

 and received such warm ovations that it may be said his journey was 

 one continued fete, by which the people endeavored to express their love 

 and gratitude for the great benefit they had received through his wise 

 government. This visitation of the empire was of the greatest utility 

 in a particular as well as general point of view. For everywhere the 

 Emperor endeavored to learn for himself the degree of intellectual and 

 material development of the provinces, what was needed to secure their 

 progress, and especially the manner in which the governors adminis- 

 tered their office. 



On his return to the capital he took ,the necessary measures, in con- 

 formity with the information he had obtained, for the benefit of the 

 provinces he had visited. 



VII. 



This peaceful prosperity, which lasted ten years, was suddenly dis- 

 turbed by a double incident known under the name of the English Con- 

 flict, and worthy of notice because evincing the energy of Dom Pedro, 

 when called to maintain the dignity of the nation of which he is tho 

 head, and also the ardent patriotism of the Brazilian people. 



