SOUTH AMERICA. 



311 



with which we were much struck. He is a remark- 

 ably fine figure; tall and erect, with a native unaffected 

 dignity of manners. His age is above fifty-five, his com- 

 plexion much too fair for a Portuguese; indeed we af- 

 terwards learned that he is of Flemish descent. The 

 character of this officer does not contradict the fa- 

 vorable impression which his appearance is calculated 

 to make. His reputation is that of a brave and honor- 

 able soldier, and a polite and humane man. From all 

 accounts, however, he is not exclusively indebted for 

 these good qualities, for his elevation from a low rank 

 in life. Mr. Bland introduced himself through White, 

 who acted as interpreter, and after some conversation, 

 in which he stated the motives of the visit, he accept- 

 ed a general invitation to dine the next day, the gene- 

 ral at the same time in the most obliging manner ten- 

 dering his services. Arrangements having been made 

 on the subject of the salute, we took our leave. Mr. 

 White next conducted us to an inn in the great square 

 or plaza, fronting the cabildo. Here Mr. Bland had 

 the good fortune to meet with general Carrera; and 

 White and myself, being soon after left alone together, 

 I proposed a walk through the city. Lieutenant Clack 

 and Mr. Breeze the purser, were at this time engaged 

 in the business of the ship. 



There is something extremely painful in the contem- 

 plation of scenes of recent and rapid decay. The 

 sufferers in the havoc and desolation, are brought 

 near to us, and we cannot but sympathise in their mis- 

 fortunes. Ancient ruins are associated with beings 

 who in the course of nature and time, would long since 

 have passed away at any rate, but we unavoidably 

 share in the miseries of our cotemporaries, where we 



