JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA. 



163 



number of soldiers, some loitering about, some furbish- 

 ing their arms, and others gambling. 



It was not long before we were admitted into the pre- 

 sence of the General, who received us with great courtesy. 

 He was dressed in plain clothes, and seemed to be about 

 forty years of age, small of stature, and rather of a dark 

 complexion. In his manner and conversation there was 

 some appearance of constraint or reserve ; yet he had a 

 fine expression of countenance, and eyes beaming with 

 intelligence. On taking leave of him, he told me that 

 the military commandant at Guatemala would be direct- 

 ed to furnish me, on my departure, another escort to ac- 

 company me in my return to the coast. 



His own talents, together with a combination of fortu- 

 nate circumstances, have raised General Morazan to the 

 distinguished station he now occupies. In early life, he 

 was a clerk in a merchant's store. Subsequently he en- 

 tered the army, and soon after acquired some property 

 by a matrimonial alliance. He was rapidly promoted, and 

 thus placed in circumstances which enabled him to take 

 an active part in politics. Having joined what was then 

 called the popular party, the activity he displayed, and 

 the influence he exercised, very soon caused him to be 

 regarded as the leader of it. His talents, both as a soldier 

 and a politician, soon gained for his party the ascendant ; 

 and from one success to another, he finally arrived at 

 the Presidency. On reaching this point, he divested 

 himself of all party feelings and political predilections. 

 He also did not hesitate to make a temporary resignation 

 of his civil authority, in order to direct in person the 

 operations of the army. This policy, so far from dimin- 

 ishing, has rather increased his power and credit ; for he 

 is now sought and courted by men of all opinions. He is 

 regarded by them as their anchor of hope, or as the pilot 

 who is to guide the ship of state in safety through the 

 storms that assail it. 



The 2d of July was the day fixed for my departure. 



