LETTERS FROM BRAZIL 79 
It opened into along 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 
J 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 
