Pedro II increasingly withdrew from government business. He was observed walking the streets in tailcoat and carrying an umbrella, sometimes surrounded by cheerful children; sampling fruits in the local market; and tasting the students' food in the kitchens on visits to schools. He abolished several rituals related to the monarchy, such as hand-kissing in 1872 and the Guarda dos archeries (Guard of the Archers) in 1877. The City Palace, where the government met, was practically abandoned, as was the Imperial residence at the Palace of São Cristóvão, now devoid of courtiers. An Austrian diplomat, summarized well the situation in late 1882:
