LETTERS FROM BRAZIL 83 
He looked rather doubtful and said his own country- 
women were so ignorant they would not know what 
the Professor was talking about, but still he had no 
objection and would think about it, — but how should 
they be invited? “Not at all,” said Agassiz, “let them 
come with their husbands and fathers, as they do with 
us, and make part of the audience, and if Brazilian 
ladies are soignorant as Your Majesty represents them 
to be, the sooner you put them in the way of learning 
something, the better for them and for their children.” 
So after some discussion it was settled that ladies 
should be allowed to go. Mrs. Davis came here to go 
with me, and we had the escort of several gentlemen, 
Agassiz having gone in advance. When we arrived, 
we were shown into a room where were the Emperor 
and his suite, and where we were received by the 
daughter of Dr. Pacheco. By the way the few ladies 
who did make their appearance were in a kind of demi- 
toilette; there was evidently great uncertainty as to 
the proper way in which to appear on so novel an 
occasion. I had some very pleasant talk with the 
Emperor, and after standing round for some time we 
were shown to the hall. Here were several seats re- 
served for the “strong minded women.” In front of 
them was the Emperor’s seat which had been ar- 
ranged under a canopy as a kind of throne; but Agassiz 
told me when he first arrived he looked into the hall 
and seeing the royal arrangement desired them to take 
it down — said he had enough of that sort of thing 
and liked to avoid it when he could. So his chair only 
stood in front of a purple velvet curtain. Before him 
