BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF DOM PEDRO II. 193 



Dom Pedro was decorated on this journey with the order of the gar- 

 ter, and also received diplomas from several learned societies, among 

 which we may mention that of member of the natural history section 

 of the French Institute, a deserved reward for his profound study of 

 this branch of knowledge. In short, the journey was a success, and of 

 great importance to Brazil, as the Emperor was enabled to refute the 

 errors that superficial or malevolent writers had spread all over Europe 

 in regard to the country.* 



Dom Pedro quitted Europe with the firm determiuation to return at 

 some future time, and visit the countries of the north as well as Turkey. 



XII. 



The return of Dom Pedro to Brazil gave the people another oppor- 

 tunity of showing their attachment, by an enthusiastic welcome, and a 

 brilliant reception at the capital. One of his first acts was to abolidi 

 the system of vassalage which had descended from the ancient kings 

 of Portugal. Then he hastened to introduce every useful art and cus- 

 tom he had seen abroad compatible with the climate, institutions, and 

 national habits of the country. The capital in this way was embellished 

 with numerous erections, which at the same time responded to the 

 requirements of public comfort, t 



Brazil was then united by the telegraph with Europe, the United 

 States, and the republics of La Plata. Several other works of public 

 interest, such as the construction of new railways and the opening of 

 new roads, &c, were undertaken or received new impulse from the gov- 

 ernment. For the better success of his plans for material improvement, 

 Dom Pedro nominated as minister of public works, of commerce, and 

 of agriculture the Senator Viscount de Itauna, who had accompanied 

 him on his voyage to Europe, and was, in consequence, the best inter- 

 preter of the desires of the Emperor. 



In political and intellectual affairs there was radical reform, especially 

 in the reorganization of primary schools, of higher schools, and the re- 

 vision of the electoral law. 



The solicitude Dom Pedro had always felt in regard to public instruc- 

 tion, proves conclusively how entirely he was convinced that it is the 



* It may be well to give here the opinion of Professor Agassiz in regard to these 

 errors: "Like every country," he says, "struggling for recognition among the self- 

 reliant nations of the world, Brazil has to contend with the prejudiced reports of a 

 floating foreign population, indifferent to the welfare of the land they temporarily in- 

 habit, and whose appreciations are mainly influenced by private interest. It is much 

 to be regretted that the government has not thought it worth while to tako decided 

 measures to correct the erroneous impressions current abroad concerning its admin- 

 istration, and that its diplomatic agents do so little to circulate truthful and author- 

 itative statements of their domestic concerns." — (A Journey in Brazil, by Professor and 

 Mrs. Agassiz.) 



t Among the public constructions at Rio especially remarkable, are the foundling 

 asylum, the hospital of Mercy, the military school, the primary schools, the exchange, 

 the public treasury. 



S 13 



