1833.] REVOLUTION AT BUENOS AYRES. 101 



in certain productions as destitute of others, to another possessing a 

 tropical climate, and a soil which, according to the best of judges, 

 M. Bonpland, is perhaps unequalled in fertility in any part of the world. 

 How different would have been the aspect of this river if English colonists 

 had by good fortune first sailed up the Plata ! What noble towns would 

 now have occupied its shores ! Till the death of Francia, the Dictator 

 of Paraguay, these two countries must remain distinct, as if placed on 

 opposite sides of the globe. And when the old bloody-minded tyrant is 

 gone to his long account, Paraguay will be torn by revolutions, violent 

 in proportion to the previous unnatural calm. That country will have to 

 learn, like every other South American state, that a republic cannot 

 succeed till it contains a certain body of men imbued with the principles 

 of justice and honour. 



October 2o//z. Being arrived at the mouth of the Parana, and as I 

 was very anxious to reach Beunos Ayres, I went on shore at Las Conchas, 

 with the intention of riding there. Upon landing I found to my great 

 surprise that I was to a certain degree a prisoner. A violent revolution 

 having broken out, all the ports were laid under an embargo. I could 

 not return to my vessel, and as for going by land to the city, it was out 

 of the question. After a long conversation with the commandant, I 

 obtained permission to go the next day to General Rolor, who commanded 

 a division of the rebels on this side the capital. In the morning I rode 

 to the encampment. The general, officers, and soldiers, all appeared, 

 and I believe really were, great villains. The general, the very evening 

 before he left the city, voluntarily went to the Governor, and with his 

 hand to his heart, pledged his word of honour that he at least would 

 remain faithful to the last. The general told me that the city was in a 

 state of close blockade, and that all he could do was to give me a passport 

 to the commander-in-chief of the rebels at Quilmes. We had therefore to 

 take a great sweep round the city, and it was with much difficulty that 

 we procured horses. My reception at the encampment was quite civil, 

 but I was told it was quite impossible that I could be allowed to enter 

 the city. I was very anxious about this, as I anticipated the Beagles 

 departure from the Rio Plata earlier than it took place. Having 

 mentioned, however, General Rosas's obliging kindness to me when at 

 the Colorado, magic itself could not have altered circumstances quicker 

 than did this conversation. I was instantly told that though they could 

 not give me a passport, if I chose to leave my guide and horses, I might 

 pass their sentinels. I was too glad to accept of this, and an officer 

 was sent with me to give directions that I should not be stopped at the 

 bridge. The road for the space of a league was quite deserted. I met 

 one party of soldiers, who were satisfied by gravely looking at an old 

 passport ; and at length I was not a little pleased to find myself within 

 the city. 



This revolution was supported by scarcely any pretext of grievances ; 

 but in a state which, in the course of nine months (from February to 

 October, 1820), underwent fifteen changes in its government each 

 governor, according to the constitution, being elected for three years 

 it would be very unreasonable to ask for pretexts. In this case, a party 



