Antonio Leandro da Câmara Carvalhal Esmeraldo Atougia Bettencourt de Sá Machado, 2nd Count do Carvalhal da Lombada.
He was born on 6 October 1831and died 4th February 1888.
In 1854 he married Dona Matilde Montufar Infante, daughter of the
Marqueses de Selva Alegre of Spain. They had two daughters, Dona Maria
and Dona Teresa da Camara.
The 2nd Conde constructed a small house in 1858 to the north of the
property for his French mistress. It was known as the `Casa da
Francesa´ (house of the French lady).
The 2nd Conde was quite a different character to his uncle. History
relates that personally he was extremely agreeable, charming and a
typical aristocrat. However little time was spent in Madeira. He led an
extravagant life in European capitals such as Paris, Madrid and Lisbon
and travelled the world. It was said that he outshone the King of
Portugal in his magnificence, with a racing stable near Paris, a large
yacht and a retinue of followers which would put the entourage of a
modern monarch to shame!
He attended splendid parties, royal balls, the races, sporting events
and the opera. History relates that he hired the entire Paris Opera for
one night for his friends!
Many lavish parties and entertainments were given at Palheiro some
reputedly of a scandalous nature. On one occasion women were invited
wearing as their costume, jewellery and high-heeled shoes!!
He received the Infante (afterwards Dom Luis of Portugal) whom he
greatly admired, at Palheiro and also at Palácio de São Pedro, his town
house, when he visited the island together with the Arquiduquesa
Carlota.
He was an indefatigable bon viveur, womaniser, gambler and his
large income was totally insufficient for his enormous expenditure. The
pace was too fast to last and the inevitable happened. With everything
mortgaged to the hilt he was forced to sell.
The 2nd Conde died after prolonged ill health at the age of 56 in 1888 at his town house the Palacio de São Pedro.
To learn more about the history of the Palheiro Estate choose a link below:
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