PEDRO II. (Dom PEDRO DE ALCANTARA) (1825-91). Emperor of Brazil. He was the son of Emperor Pedro I. and was born at Rio de Janeiro, December 2, 1825. He was but five years old when his father abdicated in his favor, April 7, 1831. During his minority the country was governed by a regency. He was declared of age in 1840, was crowned in 1841, and married in 1843 Theresa Christina, sister of Ferdinand II. of the Two Sicilies. His sons died in childhood, and his (laughter Isabella became heiress to the crown. The early years of the reign of Pedro H. were marked by revolutionary disturbances within the country and complications with the neighboring South American States. Vevolts in the provinces of Sao Paulo and Minas Geraeg were suppressed in 1842, as were similar insurrections in Rio Grande do Sul in 1345, and Pernambuco in 1849. In 1851 Brazil assisted General Jose de Urquiza, Governor of Entre-Rios, in his struggle against P.osas, the dictator of Buenos Ayres, and was instrumental in bringing about the fall of the dic tator. A five years' struggle in conjunction with Uruguay and the Argentine Republic against Lopez, the dictator of Paraguay (1865-70), ended in the triumph of the allies. In 1867 Dom Pedro
opened the Amazon to the commerce of all nations. In 1871 a law was passed for the gradual aboli tion of slavery, which was hurried to its com pletion by popular demonstrations in 1888. Dom Pedro's administration was conducted with tact and good judgment. On November 15, 1839, how ever, as a result of a revolution instigated by the officers of the Brazilian army, Donn Pedro was forced to abdicate and a republic was proclaimed. A pension was conferred on the ex-Emperor and be was sent to Europe on a Government vessel. Dom Pedro spent the remaining years of his life in France, and died in Paris. December 5, 1891. Be was a man of wide culture, and Brazil made great progress under his guidance. He traveled extensively, both in America and in Europe, and devoted much time to studying systems of gov ernment and education.