1833.] CHARACTER OF THE GAUCHOS. 161 



pretty. In this country a few fig-trees round a group of 

 houses, and a site elevated a hundred feet above the general 

 level, ought always to be called picturesque. 



During the last six months I have had an opportunity of 

 seeing a little of the character of the inhabitants 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 party tries to mark the face of 

 his adversary by slashing his nose or eyes ; as Is often 

 attested by deep and horrid-looking scars. Robberies are 

 a natural consequence of universal gambling, much drinking, 

 and extreme indolence. At Mercedes, Tasked 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 month is lost from 

 these two causes. 



Police and justice are quite Inefficient. 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 government, 

 and not against the people. A traveller has no protection 

 besides his firearms ; and the constant habit of carrying 

 them is the main check to more frequent robberies. 



The character of the higher and more educated classes 

 who reside in the towns, partakes, but perhaps in a lesser 

 degree, of the good parts of the Gaucho, but is, I fear, 

 stained by many vices of which he is free. Sensuality, 

 mockery of all religion, and the grossest corruption, are 

 far from uncommon. Nrarly every public officer can be 

 bribf'd. The head man in the post-ofBce sold forged 



