TROOPS. 17 



every house for the purpose of gathering 

 forced contributions, in the name of the new 

 Government, from all parties, but very espe- 

 cially from those who are known to be 

 favourable to their predecessors. Those that 

 will not, or cannot pay, are dreadfully ill- 

 treated ; they are often taken out and shot, 

 before their families; and their houses, stores, 

 or shops, ransacked of everything, not " too 

 hot or heavy" to carry off. 



These revolutions are likewise excellent op- 

 portunities for the most depraved (generally 

 allied to the soldiery) for a general plunder, 

 and too often enables them to satisfy their 

 revenge for former affronts or quarrels. 



A lull of a few days, seldom more, follows 

 the storm. The victorious party is aware 

 that neighbouring towns and villages are at 

 their mercy, and accordingly armed parties 

 are again sent out to every house, with orders 

 to seize all the horses and mules that they 

 can lay their hands upon ; these are to mount 

 parties of the soldiers, that they may make 

 their predatory excursions with ease and 

 comparative luxury. 



On their arrival at these towns and vil- 

 lages the above scene is re-enacted ; they sell 

 all the horses and mules they pressed, and 



