Jose de Andrada e Silva {q. v.), the leader of the Democratic party in Brazil. After the fall of An- drada, in 1883, Pedro became ward of a council of regency. In 1840, though only fifteen, he was de- clared by the chambers of age, and he at once as- sumed the reins of government. On 18 July, 1841, he was solemnly crowned emperor of Brazil. Soon after assuming the government Pedro dissolved the Brazilian parliament, a measure which led to an insurrection in the province of SJio Paulo. The Liberals made attempts at revolution in the prov- ince of Minas-Geraes in 1842, and at Pernambuco in 1848, but they were vigorously repressed. Pedro showed great skill in guiding Brazil through po- litical crises, and steadily increased its power, nu- merous internal improvements being earned on throughout the empire. He developed the com- mercial prosperity of the country, founded schools, colleges, and universities, and by his literary and scientific attainments and progressive spirit showed himself to be one of the most enlightened monarchs of the nineteenth century. By a decree of 4 Sept., 1850, he forbade the sale of the slaves in the in- terior of his dominions, and thus avoided diffi- culties with England. In 1852 he afforded aid to Gen. Urquiza and enabled him to overthrow the dictator Rosas (q. v.), gaining for Brazil an addition of territory and the free navigation of the river Plate. In 1860 Pedro undertook extensive jour- neys through the provinces of the empire to in- quire into their wants, and in 1862 a difficulty with England was arranged by the arbitration of King Leopold of Belgium. In 1865, in conjunc- tion with the Argentine and Uruguayan repub- lics, he declared war against Paraguay, and per- sonally assisted in the opening campaign. By this war, which ended in 1870 with the defeat and death of Lopez (q. v.), Brazil gained an increase in terri- tory. In 1867 the emperor opened the navigation of the Amazon river to all nations. Under Pedro's impulse the parliament voted, on 27 Aug., 1871, a preliminary measure for the emancipation of the slaves. In May, 1871, the emperor embarked for Europe, and visited England and the continent, attending in Paris the sessions of the Geograjih- ical society, of which he had been a member since 1868. He returned to Brazil in March, 1873. In 1876 he undertook a new journey, visiting the United States, where he assisted President Grant in opening the Centennial exhibition at Philadel- phia, and made a study of the systems of govern- ment and education in New York and other cities, and travelling in Europe, the Holy Land, and Egypt. In 1887 he again went to Europe for his health, and his daughter Isabella, Countess d'Eu, was appointed regent, to act during his absence. Her subservience to foreign priests, and the dicta- torial manners of her husband, caused great dis- satisfaction, which was increased when (13 May, 1888) the regent signed the decree of emancipa- tion, an act which arrayed against her the former slave-owners. The emperor returned on 25 Aug., 1888. The centralizing system of the empire, which prevented the provinces from choosing their own governors, and imposed upon them adventurers or worthless officials, fostered republican sentiments, and when, in 1889, the central government attempt- ed to organize a national guard to be officered by imperial partisans, and in time to enable the gov- ernment to disband the army and navy, the mili- tary joined with the Republican leagues in a blood- less revolution. On 15 Nov., 1889, the emperor was forced to abdicate, a republic was proclaimed, the efforts of Dom Pedro to form a new ministry were thwarted, and he was requested to leave Brazil with his family on the following day. The imperial family was conveyed on a government vessel to Lisbon, where for a time he lived on an annuity from the provisional government. After a residence in other places in Europe, he removed to Paris, where he died, 5 Dec, 1891. hoping to the last to be recalled. On 30 May, 1843, he married by procuration, and on 4 Sept. in person. Theresa, Princess of Bourbon and the Two Sicilies (b 14 March, 1822 ; d. 28 Dec, 1889). To them were born two sons, who died in infancy, and two daughters: Leopoldina, who married Prince August of Saxe- Coburg-Gotha and died in 1871, leaving four sons, and Isabel Christina Leopoldina Augusta, born in Rio Janeiro, 29 July, 1846, who married, on 15 Oct., 1864, Prince Louis Philippe d'Orleans, Count d'Eu (q. v.). They have three sons, the oldest of whom, Pedro, was born 15 Oct., 1875.
PEEBLES, Mary Louise, author, b. in Lan-
singburg, N. Y., 10 Dec, 1833. Her maiden name
was Parmelee. She was graduated at the Ijan-
singburg academy in 1850, and married Augustus
A. Peebles in July, 1862. She is the author of
" The Little Captain " (Boston, 1861) ; " Helps over
Hard Places " (1862) ; " The Good Fight " (1865) ;
"The Honorable Club" (1867); "Drifting and
Steering" (Troy, 1867); "One Day's Weaving"
(1868); " Archie's Shadow " (1869) ; "John— Jack"
(1870); and "Jeannette's Cisterns" (1882).
PEELE, John Thomas, artist, b. in Peterbor-
ough, England, in 1822. He came to this country
when a child, and during his youth painted por-
traits here, and also, during 1841-'4, in England.
Later he turned his attention to genre painting,
children being a favorite subject with him. About
1846 he settled in New York, where he was elected
an associate of the National academy in that year.
In 1851 he finally returned to England, where he
became a member of the Society of British artists,
and where he has since had his studio, residing on
the Isle of Man from 1858 till 1865. He has ex-
hibited in London and in New York. Among his
works are " Children of the Wood " (1847) ; " IMusic
of the Reeds" (1857); "Children of Robert Thorn-
ton" (1872); "Highland Supper"; "The Little
Laundress " ; " Prayer for Health " ; " Recitation
for Grandpa " ; " The Village School " ; " Heavily
Laden" (1879); "Cornish Fish Girl" (1884); "A
Bit of Gossip " ; and " The Bird's Nest " (1885).
PEERS, Benjamin Orrs, clergyman, b. in Loudoun countv. Va., in 1800; d. in Louisville, Ky., 20 Aug., 1842. His father, Maj. Valentine Peers, served in the Revolutionary army, and removed to Kentucky in 1803. The son was educated at Transylvania university, studied in Princeton theological seminary in 1822-'8, and afterward
united himself with the Protestant Episcopal church, and was ordained. He settled in Lexington, Ky., where he established the Eclectic institute, of which he was principal. In 1827-"9 he was president of Transylvania university (now University of Kentucky). He labored much in the cause of common-school education, and was instrumental
in arousing public attention to the importance of this subject, and was the author of the present system of common-school education in Kentucky. At the time of his death he was editor of the Sunday-school publications of his church, and also of the " Episcopal Sunday-School ^Magazine." in New York. He published "National Education Suited to the United States" (New York, 1838).
PEET, Harvey Prindle, educator, b. in Bethlehem, Litchfield co.. Conn.. 19 Nov., 1794 ; d. in New York city, 1 Jan., 1873. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and by teaching in the district
