ABSTRACT
The very fact that Dom Pedro had to look to a daughter, instead of to a son, as his successor was, in itself, unfortunate, for the Brazilians distrusted the Princess Imperial's husband. Though the Comte d'Eu was devoted to his adopted country and had gained popularity through his part in the Paraguayan War, he was not long in favor. As time passed he became disliked and feared by many Brazilians. He realized from the first that his position was delicate, but he apparently lacked tact and foresight, and he failed to grasp-or ignored-Brazilian political psychology. He seems not to have tried to gain the affection of the rank and file of the people. Quiet and homeloving, he avoided the festas and parades and other characteristic pastimes of the Brazilians, and they soon became aware of it. This seeming aloofness, aggravated by early deafness, led to a popular suspicion that he was proud. And by refusing to join the Masonic order, to which many prominent men belonged, he threw away an opportunity to win for himself support and friendship in influential circles. A limited income and heavy expenses, especially for medical services for the Princess, forced him to strict economy. This, and the fact that he showed little of the warm-hearted generosity in financial matters found in the
governmental matters, especially with reference to the army, and he and Dona Isabel seem to have discussed Brazilian politics together.10
