An exploration of women's involvement in the Latin American Wars of Independence

Author: Mary (Maria) Dundas de Graham

Type of publication: Book

Title: Brazil Journal, Vol.2

Year of publication: 1823

Publisher: Frederick A. Praeger, Publishers, New York, Washington, London, 1969.

Place created: Brazil

Language: English

Location of text: Maria Dundas Graham (Lady Maria Calcott), Journal of a Voyage to Brazil and Residence There, During Part of the Years 1821,1822,1823, Frederick A. Praeger, Publishers, New York, Washington, London, 1969. in University Library, Cambridge

Abstract: Extracts from Mary Graham's journal, book 2.

Content:
p.152 BRAZIL JOURNAL 2

Monday, March 31st [Rio]
Yesterday the Pedro Primeiro dropped down the harbour, as far as Boa Viage, and to day I went with Lord Cochrane on board of her.

We found that the Emperor and Empress had been on board at day light. On some of the Portuguese officers complaining that the English sailors had been drunk the day before, the Empress said, 'Oh, 'tis the custom of the North, where brave men come from. The sailors are under my protection; I spread my mantle over them.'

The Pedro Primeiro is a fine two decker, without a poop. She has a most beautiful gun deck, but I could not see her to advantage, as she was still taking in stores, and receiving men.

Her cabins are beautifully fitted up with handsome wood and green morocco cushions, &c., and I am told the Emperor takes great pride in her. Captain Crosbie commands her; and three lieutenants who came with us from Chile are appointed to her....

10th [April]
Nothing of any note or variety has taken place during these ten days. Glennie is gaining ground, I write and read, and attend to him.

The Nitherohy sails to morrow to join Lord Cochrane off Bahia, with three mortars on board, two 10, and one 13 inch. I find, with surprise, that the cartridges are still made up here in canvass, not flannel, and I fear that the ships are not so well found as I wish them, great part of the canvass and cordage have been seventeen years in store, and, I should fear, partly rotten.

But all this is nothing to the evil attending the having Portuguese among the crews. 'Tis not natural they should fight against their countrymen.

I have had the pleasure of reading Peveril of the Peak (Sir Walter Scott) within these few days. 'Tis a sort of historical portrait, like Kenilworth, where the Duke of Buckingham, he who
In one revolving moon
Was hero, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon,

is the principal figure. Charles II and the rest of the court serve for the black boy and parrot in costume, while the story of Peveril is nothing more than the carved work frieze of the very pleasant apartment he has been placed in.

p.153
14th[April]
The Fly sloop of war, and the packet from England, came in and brought the news of the war between France and Spain.1 This news is, of course, interesting here, as Portugal is considered to be implicated in the disputes in Europe. And then, the part England may take, and how that may affect this country, is a subject of anxious speculation....

1. The French, as agents of the Holy Alliance Congress, had invaded Spain to suppress the newly won rights of the Spanish constitutionalists. 15th Glennie has been gaining so much strength lately, that he has determined on joining the Commodore at Bahia, and this day he left me, to sail in His Majesty's ship Beaver.

After having had him to attend to for six months, and being used to constant intercourse with an intelligent inmate, I feel so very lonely, that I believe I must leave off some of my sedentary habits, and visit a little among my neighbours....

May 1st I have this day seen the Val Longo. It is the slave market of Rio. Almost every house in this very long street is a depot for slaves.

On passing by the doors this evening, I saw in most of them long benches placed near the walls, on which rows of young creatures were sitting, their heads shaved, their bodies emaciated, and the marks of recent itch upon their skins. In some places the poor creatures were lying on mats, evidently too sick to sit up.

At one house the half doors were shut, and a group of boys and girls, apparently not above fifteen years old, and some much under, were leaning over the hatches, and gazing into the street with wondering faces. They were evidently quite new negroes.

As I approached them, it appears that something about me attracted their attention. They touched one another, to be sure that all saw me, and then chattered in their own African dialect with great eagerness. I went and stood near them, and though certainly more disposed to weep, I forced myself to smile to them, and look cheerfully, and kissed my hand to them, with all which they seemed delighted, and jumped about and danced, as if returning my civilities.

Poor things! I would not, if I could, shorten their moments of (p.154) glee, by awakening them to a sense of the sad things of slavery, but, if I could, I would appeal to their masters, to those who buy, and to those who sell, and implore them to think of the evils slavery brings, not only to the negroes but to themselves. Not only to themselves but to their families and their posterity....

I have hitherto endeavoured, without success, to procure a correct statement of the number of slaves imported into all Brazil. I fear, indeed, it will be hardly possible for me to do so, on account of the distance of some of the ports, but I will not rest till I procure at least a statement of the number entered at the custom house here during the last two years.*

The number of ships from Africa that I see constantly entering the harbour, and the multitudes that throng the slave houses in this street, convince me that the importation must be very great. The ordinary proportion of deaths on the passage is, I am told, about one in five.

* She later obtained two statements of custom house entries at Rio, 21,199 slaves imported in 1821, 24,934 in 1822.

May 3d Early this morning the French naval captain, La Susse, called on me to take me in his boat to town, for the purpose of going to Señhor Luis José’s house in the Rua do Ouvidor, to see the Emperor go in state to the opening of the Constituent and Legislative Assembly. All the great officers of state, all the gentlemen of the household, most of the nobility, and several regiments accompanied him....

The carriages displayed to day would form a curious collection for a museum in London or Paris. Some were the indescribable sort of caleche used here, and in the middle of these was a very gay pea green and silver chariot, evidently built in Europe, very light, with silver ornaments, silver fellies to the wheels, silver where any kind of metal could be used, and beautiful embossed silver plates on the harness of the mules.

Many other gala carriages seemed as if they had been built in the age of Louis XIV. Such things! mounted on horizontal leathern bands, and all other kind of savage hangings, besides paint and gilding, and, by the bye, some very handsome silver and silver gilt harnesses. Then there were splendid liveries, and all manner of gaudiness, not without some taste.

The houses were hung with all the damask and satin of every (p.155) colour that they could supply; and the balconies stored with ladies, whose bright eyes rain influence, dressed in gala dresses, with feathers and diamonds in profusion; and as the royal carriages passed, we waved our handkerchiefs, and scattered flowers on their heads....

May 12th
I have been too unwell to do any thing, and only write to day to notice the arrival of the Jupiter frigate, with Lord Amherst (William Pitt, Earl Amherst,1773 1857, governor general of India) on his way to India, and the rumour that he has some official character at this court....

16th
... The Doris is arrived from Bahia. She has had no direct communication with Lord Cochrane's little squadron; but it seems, that with his six ships, he keeps the enemy's fleet of fifteen sail in check. The town of Bahia is said to be in a dreadful state for want of provisions. The slaves are daily dying in the streets. Some houses, after appearing shut up for some days, have been opened by the police officers, who have found the masters escaped, and the slaves dead.... The little fresh provision that finds its way into the town is exorbitantly dear. General Madeira has proclaimed martial law in the place, he has seized some corn and flour out of a neutral ship, and has raised forced loans from all classes, both native and foreign ...

We are becoming very anxious indeed for news from His Lordship: many rumours are afloat; but as there has been no direct communication from the squadron, they only increase the general anxiety.

May 17th
Soon after I arrived here, in March, or rather as soon as my patient Glennie left me, I felt that, as a stranger here, and situated as I am, I was particularly unprotected, and therefore I spoke to the minister José Bonifacio, telling him my feelings; and saying, that from the amiable character of the Empress, I should wish to be allowed to wait on her, and to consider her as protecting me while I remain in (p.156) the empire. She accordingly promised to fix a day for me to see her, but a severe indisposition has hitherto confined her to her room.

Now, Lady Amherst having requested to see Her Imperial Majesty, the day after to morrow is fixed on for the purpose, and I have an intimation that I shall be received on the same day, as the Empress wishes not to receive any other foreigner before me. This is polite, or rather it is more, it is really kind.

19th
Though I was suffering exceedingly this morning, I resolved nevertheless to attend the Empress at noon, at San Cristovao. I was obliged to take a quantity of opium, to enable me to do so.

However, I arrived at the appointed time, and, as I had been desired to do, asked for the camarista môr, José Bonifacio's sister, and was shown into the presence chamber, where I found that lady and Lady Amherst, Miss Amherst, and Mrs Chamberlain.

The Empress entered shortly after, in a handsome morning dress of purple satin, with white ornaments, and looking extremely well. Mrs Chamberlain presented Lady and Miss Amherst, and Her Imperial Majesty spoke for some minutes with Her Ladyship. After which she motioned to me to go to her, which I did.

She spoke to me most kindly; and said, in a very flattering way, that she had long known me by name, and several other things that persons in her rank can make so agreeable by voice and manner and I left her with the most agreeable impressions. She is extremely like several persons whom I have seen of the Austrian Imperial family,* and has a remarkably sweet expression....

* She had been the Archduchess Maria Leopoldina.

Saturday, June 7th
Since the day I was at San Cristovao, I have been confined to my room, and totally unable to exert myself, either mind or body, from severe indisposition.

The Creole is come in from Bahia, to get provisions, preparatory to going home. The Commodore has offered me a passage in her, and has written to that purpose, but I am in no state to embark for a long voyage.

The accounts from Bahia are sadder than ever. As to the Bahians, though favourable to the Imperial (the Brazilian cause) cause the misery of the poor inhabitants is great indeed.

p.157

12th June
We have been for three days kept in a state of agitation by reports that Bahia has fallen, and various rumours attending those reports. They all turn out to have arisen from a russe de guerre of Madeira, who contrived to despatch a small vessel to a Port on the coast for flour, pretending that it was for Lord Cochrane, and spreading that report to cover its real purpose.

13th
A brig, prize to the squadron, arrived, and also the Sesostris, a merchant ship bound to Valparaiso, on board of which were Lady Cochrane and her family going to Chile.

Thank God, by putting in here, she has learned where Lord Cochrane is, and is thus spared the tedious voyage, and her excellent husband much anxiety on her account.

14th
At length we have true news both from and of Lord Cochrane. I wrote to Lady Cochrane, excusing myself on account of illness from going to her, and she kindly called on me as she landed, and a few minutes afterwards I received letters from the Admiral. and from some others in the squadron....

p.158
June 19th

My health grows worse and worse. The Creole sailed to day. I have amused myself for two days with some English newspapers. If any thing can rouse me to health it surely ought to be news from England....

I see with pleasure a virtual acknowledgment from the English ministers of the independence of Spanish America.

22d
This is the eve of St John's, whereon the maidens of Brazil practise some of the same rites as those of Scotland do at Hallowe'en, to ascertain the fate of their loves. They burn nuts together; they put their hands, blindfold, on a table, with the letters of the alphabet, and practise many a simple conjuration.

I think I recollect long ago to have seen the maid servants of a house in Berkshire place an herb, I think a kind of stone crop, behind the door, calling it Midsummer men, that was to chain the favoured youth as he entered.

For me I only wish for the nucca drop of the Arab to fall this night, so I might catch it, and be relieved from my weary sickness.

June 26th
My friend, Dr Dickson, who has attended me all this time with unvarying kindness, having advised change of air for me, he and Mr May have pitched on a small house on Botafogo beach, having an upper story, which is considered as an advantage here, the ground floor houses being often a little damp. To day CaptainWillis of the Brazen brought me in his boat to my new dwelling....

July 1st
A good deal of sensation has been excited to day of rather a painful nature. The Emperor has fallen from his horse, and has broken two of his ribs, and is otherwise much bruised. However, his youth and (p.159) strength prevent any serious apprehension from the consequences of his accident.

There is no public news, and I am much too ill to care for any other. A foreigner, and alone, and very sick, I have abundant leisure to see the worth to the world of riches, or the appearance of them, and show and parade, and to feel that if I had them all, they could neither relieve the head nor the heart of the suffering or the sorrowful. I think I am grown selfish. I cannot interest myself in the little things of other people's lives as I used to do. I require the strong stimulus of public interest to rouse my attention....

July 23d
I had for some time promised to paint a sketch of San Cristavao (the Imperial Palace) for the Empress, and to day I resolved to carry it to her. So I went, and on my way breakfasted at my good friend the Viscondeca do Rio Seco's. I then proceeded to the palace, and went up first to enquire after the Emperor's health. While I was writing my name, he, having perceived me arrive from the window, politely sent to say he would see me, and accordingly I was ushered into the presence chamber by the Viador Don Luiz da Ponte. There I saw ministers and generals all in state. The Emperor was in a small inner room, where were his piano, his shooting apparatus, &c. He was in an undressed cotton jacket with his arm in a sling, but looking well, although thinner and paler than formerly. He sent for the little picture, with which he seemed much (p.160) pleased, and after speaking for some time very politely in French, I made my courtesy and retired.

I then went to the Empress's apartment. She was out, but I was asked to wait for her return from her walk, and in the meantime I saw the young Princesses, who are extremely fair, and like Her Imperial Majesty, especially the eldest, Doña Maria da Gloria, who has one of the most intelligent faces I have seen.

The Empress came in soon, and talked to me a good while on a variety of subjects, and very kindly of my late illness. Setting aside the consideration of her high rank, it is not a little pleasing to me to meet so well educated and well bred a woman, and I felt quite sorry to leave her without telling her so. She is in all respects an amiable and respectable woman. No distressed person ever applies to her in vain; and her conduct, both public and private, justly commands the admiration and love of her family and subjects....

July 25th
Our society at Botafogo is enlivened by the arrival of Commodore Sir T. Hardy, who occupies the house of the disembargador França, and who is not only cheerful and sociable himself, but causes cheerfulness around him.

The officers of his own ship, and those of the rest of the squadron, are of course great acquisitions to the parties at Rio, but I see little of them, my dull house, and duller self, offering nothing inviting except to the midshipmen of my old ship, who visit me very constantly.

I have bought a small horse for the sake of exercise, and sometimes accompany the boys on their evening rides....

August 3d
I drank tea at the Baronesa de Campos', and met a large family party, which always assembles on Sundays to pay their respects to the old lady. The tea was made by one of the young ladies, with the assistance of her sister, just as it would be in England.

A large silver urn, silver tea pots, milk jugs, and sugar dishes, with elegant china, were placed on a large table round which several of the young people assembled, and sent round the tea to us, who sat at a distance. All sorts of bread, cakes, buttered toast, and rusks were handed with the tea; and after it was removed, sweetmeats of every description were presented, after which every body took a glass of water.

p.161
6th August
Sailed to day, HM ship Beaver, with my friend Mr Dance as acting captain.

The world says she takes some very important despatches relating to the commerce of England with the independent provinces of La Plata, but as the world often tells what is not true, and as what is true is never confessed by those who know officially, I never trouble myself to ask about these things.

I am sorry to see almost my last friend leave the station before me, but I am now so used to losing, one way or another, all who from any motive have ever acted or felt kindly to me, that I hope soon to grow callous to the pain such loss still gives.

It is in vain that I flatter myself that I have recovered the tone of my mind. I am affected even to weakness by every little incident, and am obliged to take refuge from my private feelings, in the interest that I have lately forced myself to take in the affairs of this country. Surely, where the happiness of millions of its fellow creatures is at stake, the human heart may unblamed busy itself....

12th
This day, as well as yesterday and the day before, there have been illuminations and dressed operas on account of the Emperor's recovery. To night a vessel, prize to the squadron, arrived, bringing news of their wellbeing, and of the arrival of many prizes at Bahia and Pernambuco.

As officers and men from the Imperial ships cannot be spared in sufficient numbers to work the prizes into port, Lord Cochrane makes sure of their going thither by starting the water, excepting what is sufficient for a certain number of days, and cutting away the main and mizen masts, so that they must run for the ports to leeward. Seamen will appreciate this....

August 15th
I went in the evening to a ball and concert at the Baronesa de Campos'. On entering, I was met by the young ladies of the family, and led up to their grandmother, and after paying my compliments to her., I was placed among the division of the family where I had most acquaintance.

p.162 There were only two Englishwomen besides Lady Cochrane and myself, and these were the wives of the consul and the commissioner for the slave business. A foreign gentleman present remarked, that though we were but four, we hardly conversed together. This was perfectly true. I like, when I am in foreign society, to talk to foreigners, and think it neither wise nor civil to form coteries with those of one's own nation in such cases....

After the first dance was over, we walked all about the house, and found a magnificent dining room as to size, but scarcely furnished to correspond with the rest of the house. The bed rooms and dressing rooms of the ladies are neat and elegantly fitted up with English and French furniture, and all as different as possible from the houses I saw in Bahia.

I am told that they are likewise as different from what they were here twenty years since, and can well believe it. Even during the twelve months of my absence from Rio, I see a wonderful Polishing has taken place, and every thing is gaining an European air.

I took the liberty of remarking to one of the ladies, the extreme youth of some of the children who accompanied their mothers this evening, and saying, that in England we should consider it injurious to them in all respects.

She asked me what we did with them. I told her that some of them would be in bed, and others with their nurses and governesses. She said we were happy in that, but that here, there were no such persons, and that the children would be left to the care and example of the slaves, whose manners were so depraved, and practices so immoral, that it must be the destruction of the children. Those who loved their children must keep them under their own eyes, where, if they were brought too forward in company, they at least could learn no ill.

I love to collect these proofs of the evils of slavery - even here where it exists in a milder form than in most countries....

p.164 August 29th
To day I received a visit from Doña Maria de Jesus, the young woman who has lately distinguished herself in the war of the Reconcave. Her dress is that of a soldier of one of the Emperor's battalions, with the addition of a tartan kilt, which she told me she had adopted from a picture representing a highlander, as the most feminine military dress. What would the Gordons and MacDonalds say to this? The 'garb of old Gaul', chosen as a womanish attire! Her father is a Portuguese, named Gonsalvez de Almeida, and possesses a farm on the Rio do Pex, in the parish of San José, in the Certao, about forty leagues inland from Cachoeira. Her mother was also a Portuguese; yet the young woman's features, especially her eyes and forehead, have the strongest characteristics of the Indians....

Doña Maria told me several particulars concerning the country, and more concerning her own adventures. It appears, that early in the late war of the Reconcave, emissaries had traversed the country in all directions, to raise patriot recruits, that one of these had arrived at her father's house one day about dinner time, that her father had invited him in, and that after their meal he began to talk on the subject of his visit.

He represented the greatness and the riches of Brazil, and the happiness to which it might attain if independent. He set forth the long and oppressive tyranny of Portugal, and the meanness of submitting to be ruled by so poor and degraded a country. He talked long and eloquently of the services Don Pedro had rendered to Brazil, of his virtues, and those of the Empress, so that at the last, said the girl,

'I felt my heart burning in my breast.'
Her father, however, had none of her enthusiasm of character. He is old, and said he neither could join the army himself, nor had he a son to send thither, and as to giving a slave for the ranks, what interest had a slave to fight for the independence of Brazil? He should wait in patience the result of the war, and be a peaceable subject to the winner.

p.165 Doña Maria stole from home to the house of her own sister, who was married, and lived at a little distance. She recapitulated the whole of the stranger's discourse, and said she wished she was a man, that she might join the patriots. 'Nay,' said the sister, 'if I had not a husband and children, for one half of what you say I would join the ranks for the Emperor.'

This was enough. Maria received some clothes belonging to her sister's husband to equip her, and as her father was then about to go to Cachoeira to dispose of some cottons, she resolved to take the opportunity of riding after him, near enough for protection in case of accident on the road, and far enough off to escape detection.

At length being in sight of Cachoeira, she stopped, and going off the road, equipped herself in male attire, and entered the town.

This was on Friday. By Sunday she had managed matters so well, that she had entered the regiment of artillery, and had mounted guard. She was too slight, however, for that service, and exchanged into the infantry, where she now is. She was sent hither, I believe, with despatches, and to be presented to the Emperor, who has given her an ensign's commission and the order of the cross, the decoration of which he himself fixed on her jacket.

She is illiterate, but clever. Her understanding is quick, and her perceptions keen. I think, with education she might have been a remarkable person. She is not particularly masculine in her appearance, and her manners are gentle and cheerful. She has not contracted any thing coarse or vulgar in her camp life, and I believe that no imputation has ever been substantiated against her modesty. One thing is certain, that her sex never was known until her father applied to her commanding officer to seek her.

There is nothing very peculiar in her manners at table, excepting that she eats farinha (meal)* with her eggs at breakfast and her fish at dinner, instead of bread, and smokes a segar after each meal, but she is very temperate.

p.167 30th September [Rio]
I called at a very agreeable Brazilian lady's house to day; and saw, for the first time in my life, a regular Brazilian bas blue in the person of Doña Maria Clara. She reads a good deal, especially philosophy and politics. She is a tolerable botanist, and draws flowers exceedingly well. Besides, she is what I think it is Miss Edgeworth calls 'a fetcher and carrier of bays' a useful member of society, who, without harming herself or others, circulates the necessary literary news, and would be invaluable where new authors want puffing, and new poems should have the pretty passages pointed out for the advantage of literary misses.

Here, alas! such kindly offices are confined to comparing the rival passages in the Correiro and the Sentinella, or advocating the cause of the editor of the Sylpho or the Tamoyo. But, in sober earnest, I was delighted to find such a lady.

p.168 Without arrogating much more than is due to the sex, it may claim some small influence over the occupations and amusements of home. And the woman who brings books instead of cards or private scandal into the domestic circle, is likely to promote a more general cultivation, and a more refined taste, in the society to which she belongs.

October 1st, 1823
The court and city are in a state of rejoicing. Lord Cochrane has secured Maranham (on the coast of north eastern Brazil) for the Emperor. Once more I break in on my own rule, and copy part of his letter to me:

Maranham, August 12th, 1823.
My dear Madam,
You would receive a few lines from me, dated from off Bahia, and also from the latitude of Pernambuco, saying briefly what we were about then. And now I have to add, that we followed the Portuguese squadron to the fifth degree of north latitude, and until only thirteen sail remained together out of seventy of their convoy; and then, judging it better for the interests of His Imperial Majesty, I hauled the wind for Maranham; and I have the pleasure to tell you, that my plan of adding it to the empire has had complete success. I ran in with this ship abreast of their forts, and having sent a notice of blockade, and intimated that the squadron of Bahia and Imperial forces were off the bar, the Portuguese flag was hauled down, and every thing went on without bloodshed, just as you could wish.

We have found here a Portuguese brig of war, a schooner, and eight gun boats, also sixteen merchant vessels, and a good deal of property belonging to Portuguese resident in Lisbon, deposited in the customhouse.

The brig of war late the Infante Don Miguel, now the Maranham, is gone down with Grenfell to summon Para, where there is a beautiful newly launched fifty gun frigate, which I have no doubt but he has got before now.

Thus, my dear Madam, on my return I shall have the pleasure to acquaint His Imperial Majesty, that between the extremities of his empire there exists no enemy either on shore or afloat. This will probably be within the sixth month from our sailing from Rio, and at this moment is actually the case.



9th
I resolved to take a holiday: so went to spend it with Mrs May, at (p.169) the Gloria, only going first for half an hour to the library.

That library is a great source of comfort to me, I every day find my cabinet quiet and cool, and provided with the means of study, and generally spend four hours there, reading Portuguese and Brazilian history, for which I shall not, probably, have so good an opportunity again....

October 12th
This is the Emperor's birth day, and the first anniversary of the coronation.

I was curious to see the court of Brazil, so I rose early and dressed myself, and went to the royal chapel, where the Emperor and Empress, and the Imperial Princess were to be with the court before the drawing room.

I accordingly applied to the chaplain for a station, who showed me into what is called the diplomatic tribune, but it is in fact for respectable foreigners, there I met all manner of consuls.

However, the curiosity which led me to the chapel would not allow me to go home when the said consuls did, so I went to the drawing room, which, perhaps, after all, I should not have done, being quite alone, had not the gracious manner in which their Imperial Majesties saluted me, both in the chapel and afterwards in the corridor leading to the royal apartments, induced me to proceed.

I reached the inner room where the ladies were, just as the Emperor had, with a most pleasing compliment, announced to Lady Cochrane that she was Marchioness of Maranhan, for that he had made her husband Marques, and had conferred on him the highest degree of the order of the Cruceiro.

I am sometimes absent, and now, when I ought to have been most attentive, I felt myself in the situation Sancho Panca so humorously describes, of sending my wits wool gathering, and coming home shorn myself. For I was so intent on the honour conferred on my friend and countryman, so charmed, that for once his services had been appreciated, that when I found the Emperor in the middle of the room, and that his hand was extended towards me, and that all others had paid their compliments and passed to their places, I forgot I had my glove on. Took his Imperial hand with that glove, and I suppose kissed it much in earnest, for I saw some of the ladies smile before I remembered any thing about it.

Had this happened with regard to any other prince, I believe that I should have run away, but nobody is more good natured than (p.170) Don Pedro. I saw there was no harm done, and so determining to be on my guard when the Empress came in, and then to take an opportunity of telling her of my fault, I stayed quietly, and began talking to two or three young ladies who were at court for the first time, and had just received their appointment as ladies of honour to the Empress.

Her Majesty, who had retired with the young Princess, now came in, and the ladies all paid their compliments while the Emperor was busy in the presence chamber receiving the compliments of the Assembly and other public bodies. There was little form and no stiffness.... It was curious, but it pleased me, to see some negro officers take the small white hand of the Empress in their clumsy black hands, and apply their pouting African lips to so delicate a skin. But they looked up to Nosso Emperador, and to her, with a reverence that seemed to me a promise of faith from them, a bond of kindness to them.

The Emperor was dressed in a very rich military uniform, the Empress in a white dress embroidered with gold, a corresponding cap with feathers tipped with green. Her diamonds were superb, her head tire and ear rings having in them opals such as I suppose the world does not contain, and the brilliants surrounding the Emperor's picture, which she wears, the largest I have seen....

When their Imperial Majesties came out of the great room, I saw Madame do Rio Seco in earnest conversation with them, and soon I saw her and Lady Cochrane kissing hands, and found they had both been appointed honorary ladies of the Empress. Then the Viscountess told me she had been speaking to the Empress about me.

This astonished me, for I had no thought of engaging in any thing away from England. Six months before, indeed, I had said that I was so pleased with the little Princess, that I should like to educate her.... I said, that if the Emperor and Empress chose (as a warm climate agreed with me), I should not dislike it, that it required consideration, and that if I could render myself sufficiently agreeable to the Empress, I should ask the appointment of governess to the Princess....

I own that the more I saw of the Imperial family, the more I wished to belong to it. But I was frightened at the thoughts of Rio, by the impertinent behaviour of some of the English, so that I should probably not have proposed the thing myself.

It was done, however, the Empress told me to apply to the Emperor. I observed he looked tired with the levee, and begged to be allowed to write to her another day.
p.171 She said, 'Write if you please, but come and see the Emperor at five o'clock to morrow.' And so they went out, and I remained marvelling at the chance that had brought me into a situation so unlike any thing I had ever contemplated, and came home to write a letter to Her Imperial Majesty, and to wonder what I should do next.

Monday, October 13th
I wrote my letter to the Empress, and was punctual to the time for seeing the Emperor. He received me very kindly, and sent me to speak to Her Imperial Majesty, who took my letter, and promised me an answer in two days, adding the most obliging expressions of personal kindness. And this was certainly the first letter I ever wrote on the subject, though my English friends tell me that I had a memorial in my hand yesterday, and that I went to court only to deliver it, for they saw it in my hand.

Now I had a white pocket handkerchief and a black fan in my hand, and thought as little of speaking about my own affairs to their Imperial Majesties, as of making a voyage to the moon. But people will always know each other's affairs best.

16th
I have continued going regularly to the library, and have become acquainted with the principal librarian, who is also the Emperor's confessor.... To day, on returning from my study I received a letter from the Empress, written in English, full of kind expressions, and in the pleasantest manner accepting, in the Emperor's name and her own, my services as governess to her daughter, and giving me leave to go to England, before I entered on my employment, as the Princess is still so young.

I went to San Cristovao to return thanks.

19th
I saw the Empress, who is pleased to allow me to sail for England in the packet, the day after to morrow. I confess I am sorry to go before Lord Cochrane's return. I had set my heart on seeing my best friend in this country, after his exertions and triumph. But I have now put my hand to the plough, and I must not turn back.

Texts written by Mary (Maria) Dundas de Graham:
1821 - The Captain's Wife. The South American Journals of Journals of Maria Graham, 1821-23,
1823 - Brazil Journal, Vol.2
1823 - Journal of a Voyage to Brazil and Residence There, During Part of the Years 1821,1822,1823