572 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



character from Lisbon should act as Juiz. This and similar arrangements 

 might sufficiently account for a delay of the ceremony without having 

 recourse to other reasons. 



When all the Fidalgos had taken the oaths, and inscribed their 

 names, the King rose and took the Sceptre, the Prince Royal bore his 

 train, and the Juiz do Povo conducted them along the front of the 

 Gallery or Arcade. When the King presented himself at the first arch, 

 though cordially received, he was evidently embarrassed ; at the second, 

 he had somewhat more confidence ; at the third, he recollected himself 

 completely, and complied with the usual custom on such occasions, by 

 taking off his hat, which he had previously forgotten to do, and the 

 shouts of the people were redoubled. On arriving at the centre, the 

 Juiz and the Sovereign entered the projection mentioned before, and 

 were distinctly seen in this station by every one. It is usual for 

 the Judge, in the name of the people, to ask of the King three important 

 questions, relative to the support of "Religion, the Laws, and the popular 

 Privileges. To each of them the King gives a distinct promise, that he 

 will maintain them, and the Judge as distinctly replies aloud, " then you 

 shall reign." This part of the ceremony being performed, the Judge 

 publishes to the people, the promises of the King, and announces him 

 as Sovereign. The people receive him as such, by shouting Viva El Rey ; 

 upon this, the salute from the Artillery, the Shipping, and the Forts 

 commenced in the most lively manner, and continued for about 

 half an hour. 



The hesitation of the King at the first and second arches, where 1 

 was quite close to him, appeared to arise from some vague suspicions 

 generated by the evil reports, which had been continually poured into 

 his ear. I had a similar opportunity of observing him within half an 

 hour before the time when the ceremony began. He was then dressed 

 in a plain blue coat, with a black handkerchief about his neck, was quite 

 alone, and his countenance expressed marks of deep solicitude. Yet if 

 this arose from suspicions of the people's loyalty, I am persuaded there 

 was not the slightest ground for them, at least, among the middle and 



