50 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



asleep, he dreamed that a venerable sage appeared and promis- 

 ed him the victory! This vision had scarcely passed away, 

 when an officer informed him that a strange old man had en- 

 tered the camp, and was extremely importunate to be admitted 

 to his presence. Alphonso ordered the stranger to be conduct- 

 ed into the tent ; when he entered, the general recognised in 

 him the person he had seen in his dream. Without waiting for 

 interrogation, the old man stated that he was a fisherman, and 

 had been doing penance for sixty years on a neighboring moun- 

 tain ; — that he had now come, by command of God, to announce 

 victory to the arms of Portugal ; adding, "when you hear a 

 clock strike, go forth from your tent ; you will behold a bright 

 manifestation of what Heaven is doing for you !" and immedi- 

 ately departed, leaving Alphonso filled with mingled joy and 

 surprise. Some time after day break, hearing a clock strike, 

 he hastily armed himself, and sallied from the tent. In the 

 midst of a flaming cloud he beheld a group of angels supporting 

 a crucifix ! A clear voice announced the victory, and that the 

 soldiers would proclaim Alphonso king ; the voice required 

 that he should accept and wear the crown ; prophesying that 

 he would henceforward glorify God, and carry his religion to 

 the most distant climates in the world ! Alphonso prostrated 

 himself, and declared that he would obey the commands thus 

 emanating from Heaven ; and begged, in case his people should 

 ever ofiend, that he might suffer chastisement in their stead. 

 The vision vanished, and the victory was gained over Ismael ! 



The story of the painting was just concluded, when the right 

 hand door opened, and the ladies and gentlemen of the Brazil- 

 ian Household entered. Dom Pedro H. was accompanied by 

 his sisters and the regency. The dresses of the members of the 

 court were splendid ; that of the young emperor was neat and 

 simple. As they passed through the rooms, every head was 

 bowed in salutation. Presently a flourish of trumpets, followed 

 by a grand march by a full band, proclaimed the opening of the 

 Court. We had all followed into the anteroom. In a few mo- 

 ments the chamberlain informed the corps diplomatique that 

 his Imperial Highness was ready to receive them. Those who 

 had resided longest near this court, took precedence, and fol- 



