CHAl^ACTER OF SAN MARTIN. 



233 



Martin as might throw a light on his natural dis- 

 position ; and I must say, that the result was 

 most favourable. I took notice, in particular, of 

 the kindly and cordial terms upon which he lived 

 with the officers of his family, and all those with 

 whom his occupations obliged him to associate. 

 One day, at his own table, after dinner, I saw 

 him take out his segarero, or pouch, and while 

 his thoughts were evidently far away, choose a 

 segar more round and firm than the rest, and 

 give it an unconscious look of satisfaction ; — when 

 a voice from the bottom of the table called out, 

 " Mi General !" He started from his reverie, 

 and holding up his head, asked who had spoken* 

 " It was I,'"* said an officer of his establishment 

 who had been watching him ; " I merely wished 

 to beg the favour of one segar of you.*" — Ah 

 ha said he, smiling good-naturedly, and at once 

 tossed his chosen segar with an assumed look of 

 reproach to the officer. To everybody he was af- 

 fable and courteous, without the least show or 

 bustle, and I could never detect in him the slight- 

 est trace of affisctation, or anything, in short, but 

 the real sentiment of the moment, I had occa- 



