140 REVOLUTION AT BUENOS AYRES... [cHap. vit. 
would have been the aspect of this river if English colonists had 
by good fortune first sailed up the Plata! What noble towns 
would now have occupied its shores! Till the death of Francia, the 
Dictator of Paraguay, these two countries must remain distinct, as 
if placed on opposite sides of the globe. And when the old 
bloody-minded tyrant is gone to his long account, Paraguay will 
be torn by revolutions, violent in proportion to the previous un- 
natural calm. ‘That country will have to learn, like every other 
South American state, that a republic cannot succeed till it con- 
tains a certain body of men imbued with the principles of justice 
and honour. 
October 20th.—Being arrived at the mouth of the Parana, and 
as I was very anxious to reach Buenos Ayres, I went on shore at 
Las Conchas, with the intention of riding there. Upon landing, 
I found to my great surprise that I was to a certain degree a 
prisoner. A violent revolution having broken out, all the ports 
were laid under an embargo. I could not return to my vessel, 
and as for going by land to the city, it was out of the question. 
After a long conversation with the commandant, I obtained per- 
mission to go the next day to General Rolor, who commanded a 
division of the rebels on this side the capital. In the morning 
I rode to the encampment. The general, officers, and soldiers, 
all appeared, and. I believe really were, great villains. The- 
general, the very evening before he left the city, voluntarily went 
to the Governor, and with his hand to his heart, pledged his word 
of honour that he at least would remain faithful to the last. The 
general told me that the city was in a state of close blockade, and 
that all he could do was to give me a passport to the commander- 
in-chief of the rebels at Quilmes. We had therefore to take a 
great sweep round the city, and it was with much difficulty that 
we procured horses. My reception at the encampment was quite 
civil, but I was told it was impossible that I could be allowed to 
enter the city. I was very anxious about this, as I anticipated 
the Beagle’s departure from the Rio Plata earlier than it took 
place. Having mentioned, however, General Rosas’s obliging 
kindness to me when at the Colorado, magic itself could not 
have altered circumstances quicker than did this conversation. I 
was instantly told that though they could not give me a passport, 
if I chose to leave my guide and horses, I might pass their sen- 
