328 JOURNAL. 



which he could not but turn with disgust, thus doubling the injury 

 done to his feelings. 



Less provocation than this has, ere now, armed nation against 

 nation ; and, in the half-civilised state of this country, private feelings 

 will tell more in the sum total of the causes of civil wars than in 

 more polished states, — where men are smoothed down to such a 

 resemblance to each other, and trained to such a command over the 

 external signs of passion, that individual emotions have seldom in- 

 fluence beyond a family circle. 



General Freire is a native of this country ; but his father was 

 an European, either English or French. He was never in Europe, 

 and has read nothing; but he has strong natural powers and sa- 

 gacity, an honourable and generous spirit, and has devoted himself 

 entirely to military conduct and affairs. I do grieve for Chile. In 

 the state to which the country had advanced, every day of tran- 

 quillity was a gain, in spite of bad government. There are elements 

 of good here, which only want time and tranquillity to grow ; and it 

 is cruel, that the misdemeanors of the ministers should stir up civil 

 strife, that worst of plagues, and so retard the progress of all that 

 the nation has been struggling for. I could address the republic in the 

 words of an old poet : — 



" Ill-fated vessel ! shall the waves again 



Tempestuous bear thee to the faithless main ? 



What would thy madness, thus with storms to sport ? 



Ah ! yet with caution keep the friendly port. 



* * * The guardian gods are lost, 

 Whom you might call in future tempests tost." 



Francis's Horace. 



Thursday, 5th December. — We are again more quiet ; only three 

 slight shocks to-day. 



Friday, 6th. — Only two shocks ; but the highest wind I remember. 

 A beautifully bright day ; and the bay as lovely as possible, with the 

 white waves dashing over the dark-blue surface. We were obliged to 



