In 1866, he competed for the 10th chair at the "Escola Politécnica" (Polytechnical school), as well as the chair in History in the department of Letters. Unsuccessful, he continued in Lisbon as an English teacher. Later, he established a legal practice, and quickly developed a clientele, which permitted him the financial security to assist his brother in completing his studies. Between many of the causes he defended while a lawyer, in 1890, he was the advocate for António José de Almeida, after he wrote ""Bragança, o último"" a treasties against King D. Carlos in the academic journal "O Ultimatum".