558 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



His Majesty was not at the Theatre on the first of these evenings, 

 but a scene occurred in the Palace which can seldom be paralleled in the 

 history of Courts. By an ancient law the Sovereign, at least once a 

 week, is obliged to hold a levee, at which every subject decently dressed 

 is admitted, and allowed to present, personally, his or her petition. This 

 valuable privilege, as might be expected, has fallen into great disuse; 

 but on this evening a poor woman was present, who, the moment she 

 entered the audience-chamber, lifted her hand and exclaimed, under the 

 full influence of delirium, " Now I have vengeance, now^ I have ven- 

 geance ; had not your Majesty pardoned the murderer of my husband, 

 this could not have happened." The assassin, whom I have already 

 mentioned, was that very murderer who, for his crime, had been 

 banished only, and now requited the clemency of his Sovereign by 

 heading a revolt against him. 



A blockading squadron sailed from Rio on the 2d of April. In 

 selecting the land forces the very best of officers were appointed to 

 commands — men who had been inured to service in Spain, and who, even 

 before they left the port, had gained the respect and affection of the 

 soldiers, by attending to their appointments and their comforts, in reference 

 to things which would be necessary, both during the voyage and in the 

 field. The King continued to exert himself, and wherever he ap- 

 peared in public, was hailed with enthusiasm. He was assisted in all his 

 efforts, at seasons, in ways, by means, and from quarters, which seemed 

 to surprise and almost embarrass him. He visited the transports both 

 before and after the men were embarked, and, on the 4th of May, saw 

 a well appointed fleet sail from the harbour, w^ith 3000 troops on board 

 devoted to his service. To those who reflected upon the scene the change 

 of circumstances was utterly astonishing, and scarcely appeared a reality. 

 Only seven years before Rio found it difficult to maintain an insignificant 

 guard, and now she had an army successfully combating on the Southern 

 frontier, and was sending another to the Northern extremity of Brazil. 

 The voyage was prosperous and short, the fleet entered Recife on the 

 SOth of May, and Olinda re-hoisted the Royal Standard, and was treated 



