New desires, new habits, and new objects, were now introduced, and came crowding one after the other in haste into the wonderful tropical regions of the Bay of Rio de Janeiro.  Printing was legalized with the arrival of the Prince Regent, who brought over with him his library, and this, in 1814, was thrown open to the public.  The progress of science went hand in hand with that of the rest, and in 1811 vaccination was introduced.  The pleasant arts were not left out in the cold, since, in 1813, the first regular theatre was opened.  In 1814 the French were invited to come over as residents, and they accepted in numbers.

The old Criollo families now mustered about the royal representatives of Portugal, and rubbed shoulders with the nobility, who had come out in attendance, taking no little pride in the contact, and desirous only of exhibiting to the utmost possible extent the depth of their loyalty.

The character of the Regent was such as to warrant the fervent loyalty displayed by his American subjects.  Although set free by the mental disease of Queen Francisca Isabel, his mother, to the exercise of almost despotic authority from his earliest years, he had developed very few of the vices usually resulting from such lack of control and training.  He is described as having been “mild and just” in temper, and of comparatively pure moral character.  He was, however, called to the exercise of authority in troubled times, and had not the balance which makes the perfect statesman.  To Joao VI. the nearest trouble was always the greatest, and the courtier at hand, able to gain the royal ear, had far more chance of success with him than the one who proffered his request by letter.  Joao found it difficult to refuse, disagreeable to inquire, and laborious to discuss.  He was, in fact, an amiable man, but not a strong one.

Joao used the best measures at his command for the prosperity of his adopted kingdom, and he carried out reforms as far as he could or dared.  Free trade was completely established; foreign settlers were invited, and artisans and mechanics encouraged in every way.  English mechanics and shipwrights, Swedish ironfounders, German engineers, and French artists and manufacturers, crowded to this new field of action, so suddenly opened up.  In the meanwhile schools and hospitals were founded throughout the country, and the new commerce, consequent on unrestricted trading, was watched and regulated.  Inspectors of ports and customs were appointed to prevent fraud; Rio was made a bishopric, and the ecclesiastical establishments of the country were carefully regulated, while many new tribunals were established.

The vast increase of population and trade caused a corresponding increase in the buildings of the central and southern cities, more especially in those of the capital.  New streets and squares and magnificent country houses rose up on all sides, while the presence of a brilliant Court necessarily altered many of the habits of the people.  The fashions of Europe were introduced, and the Empire gained a breadth of outlook that no mere colony of the period could ever possess.  The introduction of the Court brought to Brazil a new life and activity, new luxuries, increased and increasing trade, a vigorous and growing population, fresh public and private undertakings, and all the vigour of a rising community.