Stories of Paraná - D. Pedro II in Lapa

Stories of Paraná - D. Pedro II in Lapa

D. Pedro II in Lapa
Sergio A. Leoni

The day May 31, 1880, a Monday, would be historic for the Lapa, as described by Joseph Savoy Cortes in an article published in December 1925 in the Gazette of the People.
On that date, to 18.30, after much anticipation and action by the community, came D. Pedro II, Empress Dona Teresa Cristina and her large entourage that in addition to several ladies, and maids of honor, still consisted of many distinguished personalities.

Stayed in the solar David dos Santos Pacheco (later Baron of Campos Gerais), which to solemnize the event alforriou all his slaves, anticipating to own 8 year old Golden Law and becoming thus the pioneer of Freedom Paraná.
The city was celebrating, bells pealed, rockets estrugiram, the streets were tapisadas leaves of orange, ornate pine and imperial flags.
The windows bedecked with powdery quilts, from which hung the traditional triangular colored lanterns.
In the morning, very early, the Monarchs and the delegation were attending festive Mass in the parish church, adorned by Father Ignacio de Almeida Faria, and full of people.
After visited the Campo Santo; Theatro São João; Mail; school master Fortunato Pedro de Magalhães, the school's master oak and Rita Idalina house House and Jail.
In jail, the Emperor heard the prisoners, and given the application Girl Eudóxia Westphalen, requested documents Francisco Mafaldo criminal, sentenced to perpetual galleys, to be forgiven.
That his gesture and kindness became famous and the prisoner, who had good behavior, was later pardoned by Princess Izabel really.
The June - the Emperor found himself at the door of the house of Baron, surrounded by his brilliant retinue, and counted as the old, the following incident occurred:
He approached an old German very tall, broad.
Who was sympathetic and impressive for their high stature, soon drew the attention imperial.
In an act of admirable simplicity, the Emperor, forgetting protocol, down the driveway and went to find the old man, whose name was William Scharneweber. And only then the Emperor learned, with great excitement and joy, that William had come in the train of his young Empress Mother, the Austrian Dna.
Maria Leopoldina, and belonged to the Imperial Guard of D. Pedro I, often having nursed the Boy Emperor, in his slacks at Palace of Boa Vista. And knowing that,
D. Peter hugged and kissed the old William, collecting it in the Baron's room, where they talked for a long time in German.
Say thereafter, Scharneweber rose overall concept, being admired and even envied by many ...

Sergio A. Leoni, former mayor of Lapa


Source: Stories of Paraná, Brasil.