49 INTRODUCTION. 
repairing of the old public works, and the forming new, particularly the 
canal of Maypu, which conveys the waters of that river along a high 
level, for the purpose of irrigating an immense plain, formerly barren, 
and the resort only of robbers, but with water capable of every kind 
of improvement. * These works had the advantage of giving employ- 
ment to the numerous prisoners of war, whose subsistence would 
otherwise have been a heavy burden upon the state, and whose treat- 
ment was such when not so employed as humanity would gladly 
draw a veil over. But the Spaniards had given terrible examples, — 
no wonder if the nations they had oppressed sometimes retaliated. 
General San Martin meantime had visited Buenos Ayres, but 
chiefly resided at Mendoza; he was augmenting the army, for the 
purpose of invading Peru, so soon as the troops and money could be 
ready, by means of the Chileno squadron ; and he was believed, not 
without reason, to be the real director of all the affairs of Chile. The 
ascendency this man had acquired is singular; his courage is more 
than doubtful, and his talents are not above mediocrity. But he has 
a handsome person; an imposing air; a versatile manner, accom- 
modating itself to all tastes, from that of a finished courtier to a 
country clown; and a great power of feigning. He is one of those 
of whom Bacon says, “ There be that can pack the cards, and yet 
“ cannot play well: so there are some that are good in canvasses 
“ and factions, that are otherwise weak men.” His secretary, Mon- 
teagudo, has many qualities in common with him; but the fail- 
ings of the master are carried to a greater length, and certainly he 
is superior even to San Martin in unfeeling cruelty. But his acute- 
ness is astonishing; he is “ perfect in men’s humours,” — and so 
leads them by their own foibles : his eloquence was of great service to 
the good cause, though on many occasions his proclamations and state 
papers savour too much of that bombastic turn which the Spaniards 
in general are reproached with, and which is, indeed, very conspi- 
cuous on the western side of the Atlantic. The plain simple good 
* The sale of the land and of the water on this plain has more than paid the expense, 
and is beginning to be a profitable concern to the government. 
