Donna, in which there were some good points, which called forth
great applause. I think it is Gresset who, in one of his odes _Au Roi_,
says,

"Le cri d'un peuple heureux est la seule eloquence
Qui sait parler des rois."

And indeed this night that eloquence was powerful. I cannot conceive a
situation more full of interest to both prince and people.

There was nothing in the principal piece played to-night, for it was a
clumsy translation of Lodoiska, without the songs. But the after-piece
excited much emotion: it was called "The Discovery of Brazil." Cabral
and his officers were represented as just landed: they had discovered
the natives of the country; and, according to the custom of the
Portuguese discoverers, they had set up their white flag, with the red
holy cross upon it, whence they had first named the land. At the foot of
this emblem they kneeled in worship, and endeavoured to induce the wild
Brazilians to join them in their sacred rites. These, on their part,
tried to persuade Cabral to reverence the heavenly bodies, and
dissension seemed about to trouble the union of the new friends, when by
a clumsy enough machine, a little genius came down from above, and
leaping from its car, displayed the new Imperial standard, inscribed
_Independencia o Morte_. This was totally unexpected in the house,
which, for an instant, seemed electrified into silence. I believe I
clapped my hands first, but the burst of feeling that came from every
part of the house was long ere it subsided. Now I know nothing so
overpowering, as that sort of unanimous expression of deep interest,
from any large body of men. It overset me; and when I ought to have been
waving my handkerchief decorously from the great chamberlain's box, I
was hiding my face with it, and weeping heartily. When the house was
quiet again, I looked at Don Pedro: he had become very pale, and had
drawn a chair close to his own; on the back of which he leaned, and was
very grave to the end of the piece, having his hand before his eyes for
some time; and, indeed, his quick feelings could not have escaped what
affected even strangers.

At the close of the piece there were loud cries of "Viva la Patria!"
"Viva o Emperador!" "Viva a Emperatriz!" "Viva[)o] os Deputados!" all
originating in the body of the house; when Martim Francisco de Andrada
stepped to the front of one of the boxes of the Deputies, and cried
"Viva o povo leal e fiel do Rio de Janeiro!" a cry tha