MSRON. 89 



]iu8 been stoutly affirmed and as vcliemcntly denied, the 

 result remains the same — that their character is fierce, 

 truculent, and cruel to a degree which can by no meaiiH be 

 imputed to the Portuguese. Tliere is yet another and more 

 decinivc p^oof of ti)e milder nature of these latter, in the 

 very infrequent use of the knife, and those dark deeds of 

 violence so rife amongst the hot-blooded, quarrelsome 

 Spaniards. In short, the more I compare the disposition 

 of the two nations which inhabit the Peninsula, the more 

 convinced I am that the advantage lies very decidedly in 

 favour of the Portuguese, for whom indeed I have learnt 

 to entertain a very sincere regard, and an admiration which 

 I am very far from feeling towards the Spaniards. 



As I am well aware that the opinions I have ven- 

 tured to express, in contrasting Portuguese with Spanish 

 character, are altogether opposed to the laudations of 

 everything connected with Spain (save and except Spanish 

 bonds) which seme enthusiasts have lately proclaimed, I 

 desire to fortify my own assertions with the judgment of 

 unexceptionable witnesses, who seem to bear me out in my 

 views. Now, the lp.te Duke of Wellington will be allowed 

 to be as sound and -jri^rsj udiced a judge of character as 

 may readily be found, and he had ample opportunities 

 during the long Peninsular war. for forming a decided 

 opinion in regard to both nations; but throughout his 

 despatches, and notoriously in his estimation, the Spaniards 

 ^ere altogether disagreeable and distasteful, and are gene- 

 rally ::nentioned. with marked disapproval and dislike: 

 •whereas to the Portuguese be became more and more 

 attached, as experience made him more familiar with their 

 national character. And herein I do not speak of their 

 respective merits as soldiers, though in that capacity too 

 the Portuguese were immeasurably preferred by the Duke 

 to their Spanish com.panions in arms. The testimony of 

 the great captain of modern times is almost conclusive ; 



