way for the freeing of
that land from the rule of Spain.

This feat also was the work of San Martin, who soon after invaded Peru,
and, aided by a Chilian fleet, conquered that land from Spain, proclaiming
its independence to the people of Cuzco on the 28th of July, 1821. Later
on, indeed, its freedom was seriously threatened, and it was not until
1824 that General Bolivar finally won independence for Peru, in the
victory of Ayacucho. Yet, famous as Bolivar became as the Liberator of
South America, some generous portion of fame should rightly be accorded to
San Martin, the Liberator of Chili.

COLONY, EMPIRE, AND REPUBLIC; REVOLUTION IN BRAZIL.

While the Spanish colonies of South America were battling for their
liberties, the great Portuguese colony of Brazil was going through a very
different experience. Bolivar and his compatriots were seeking to drive
Spain out of America. On the contrary, we have the curious spectacle of
Brazil swallowing Portugal, or at least its king and its throne, so that,
for a time, the colony became the state, and the state became the
dependency. It was a marked instance of the tail wagging the dog. Brazil
became the one empire in America, and was destined not to become a
republic until many years later. Such are the themes with which we here
propose to deal.

To begin this tale we must go back to those stirring times in Europe when
Napoleon, the great conqueror, was in the height of his career, and was
disposing of countries at his will, much as a chess-player moves the king,
queen, and knights upon his board. In 1807 one of his armies, led by
Marshal Junot, was marching on Lisbon, with the purpose of punishing
Portugal for the crime of being a friend of the English realm.

John, then the prince regent of Portugal, was a weak-minded, feeble
specimen of royalty, who did not keep of one mind two days together. Now
he clung to England; now, scared by Napoleon, he claimed to be a friend of
France; and thus he shifted back and forward until the French despot sent
an army to his kingdom to help him make up his mind. The people were ready
to fight for their country, but the prince still wobbled between two
opinions, until Junot had crossed the borders and was fast making his way
to Lisbon.

Prince John was now in a pitiable state. He shed tears over the fate of
his country, but, as for himself, he wanted badly to save his precious
person. Across the seas lay the great Portuguese co