CONVERSATIONS WITH A SPANISH LIBERAL. 201 



fatigue, than he. Unlike the generality of his countrymen, he never 

 smokes, drinks no wine, eats but moderately, and in the course of 

 twenty-four hours he seldom takes more than fifteen minutes' sleep ; 

 and that, when in campaign, on horseback. But none of those under 

 his command have ever seen Merino pass a night with them. At the 

 decline of day he halts his band, chooses the place of encampment, 

 and then, accompanied by a single domestic, will strike into a neigh- 

 bouring forest, three or four leagues off, arid re-appear at the 

 morning dawn. When in the field, the garb and aspect of Merino is 

 as wild and savage as the darkest empersonation of Murillo or 

 Salvator's pencil. But even more terrible is the disposition of the 

 inward man a soul of fire ; a heart of flint ; a breast, so fierce and 

 unrelenting, that before its stern decrees 



" ' Hope withering flies, and mercy sighs farewell !' 



" I am almost afraid to trace the history of his enormities. Suffice it 

 to say, that, during the war of independence, and subsequently in 

 that which he waged against the Constitution, more than forty-eight 

 alcades were shot in his presence, and by his orders. Never has he 

 been known to give quarter to his prisoners. All the officers who fell 

 into his hands, were first tortured with the most refined cruelty that 

 human ingenuity could invent, and then shot. In 1810 he burnt 

 alive eighty-six prisoners, in spite of the urgent entreaties of the 

 priesthood and nobility of Villahoz, who wished to save them. 



" On the termination of the war of independence, Merino was ap- 

 pointed governor of Burgos, which he lost only a few months after, 

 owing to the gross immorality of his conduct. At a subsequent pe- 

 riod, he was appointed prebendary of the cathedral of Valencia ; but 

 his wild and extraordinary figure highly displeased his brethren, who 

 testified in the world loudly their indignation at being associated 

 with so ferocious a character. This came to the ears of Merino, who, 

 presenting himself one day in the sacristy when they were assembled 

 on business, he loaded them with invectives, and, drawing forth a 

 pistol from his bosom, he pointed it at the terrified canons, and ac- 

 tually obliged them to pass before him, who esteemed themselves but 

 too happy to come off so cheaply, and to be quittes pour la peur. 



" Ferdinand VII, on being informed of this outrage, dispensed 

 this intractable canon from the duties of his sacred office ; although 

 his salary was still continued to him. Merino then returned to his 

 own province, and fixed his residence at Tordueles, a small village 

 near Villoriado j there he passed his time in the chase, and in super- 

 intending the building of an elegant house, which* he still possesses. 



"In 1820 the Constitutional system was proclaimed. During the 

 first year of the Constitution, Merino remained quietly at home; and 

 since the war of independence, such was his horror of the monks and 

 friars, that, if he had reigned for only forty-eight hours, I am certain 

 that his first decree would have been to order the massacre of them 

 all. I will tell you the reason that he is so opposed to the Con- 

 stitution : 



" The prefect of received a letter, informing him of Merino's 



intention to raise the standard of revolt against the Constitution. 



M. M. No. 104. 2 D 



