200 DANDA ORIENTAL. 



tunity of seeing a little of the character of the in- 

 habitants of these provinces. The Gauchos, or 

 countrymen, are very superior to those who reside 

 in the towns. The Gaucho is invariably most 

 obliging, polite, and hospitable : I did not meet 

 with even one instance of rudeness or inhospitality. 

 He is modest, both respecting himself and country, 

 but at the same time a spirited, bold fellow. On 

 the other hand, many robberies are committed, and 

 there is much bloodshed : the habit of constantly 

 wearing the knife is the chief cause of the latter. 

 It is lamentable to hear how many lives are lost in 

 trifling quarrels. In fighting, each jaarty tries to 

 mark the face of his adversary by slashing his nose 

 or eyes, as is often attested by deep and hon-id- 

 looking scars. Robberies are a natural conse- 

 quence of universal gambling, much drinking, and 

 extreme indolence. At Mercedes I asked two men 

 why they did not work. One gravely said the days 

 were too long; the other, that he was too poor. 

 The number of horses and the profusion of food 

 are the destruction of all industry. Moreover, there 

 are so many feast-days ; and again, nothing can 

 succeed without it be begun when the moon is on 

 the increase ; so that half the moon is lost from 

 these two causes. 



Police and justice are quite inefiicient. If a man 

 who is poor commits murder and is taken, he 

 will be imprisoned, and perhaps even shot ; but if 

 he is rich and has friends, he may rely on it no 

 very severe consequence will ensue. It is curious 

 that the most respectable inhabitants of the country 

 invariably assist a murderer to escape : they seem 

 to think that the individual sins against the govern- 

 ment, and not against the people. A traveller has 

 no protection besides his fire-arms ; and the con- 

 stant habit of caiTying them is the main check to 

 more freauent robbeiies. 



