Geographical Collections. 135 
of Spain, without experiencing any of those misfortunes which generally accom- 
pany revolutions. The republic of Buenos-Ayres sent, in 1810, a body of troops 
to subject this country ; and though the expedition had not the desired effect, it 
gave birth, among the officers of the army of Paraguay, to the idea of making 
their country independent. The government of the king of Spain was replaced 
by a junto, whose administration was so bad that it fell by itself. Two con- 
suls were then elected, Yegros and Francia. The latter was considered as the 
man most capable of conducting public affairs. He was the son of a Frenchman 
established at Paraguay. It was in the convent of monks that he received his 
first education,—that he studied theology, and obtained some knowledge of juris- 
prudence ; and he had acquired, in the profession of a barrister, some reputation 
for his attainments, his disinterestedness, and tor his singular character. 
The day that he took possession of the consulship, his extreme love of power 
showed itself, by his sitting down on a chair on which was inscribed the name of 
Cezxsar, and leaving to his colleague that which bore the name of Pompey. 
He was not long, indeed, in making himself, by his intrigues, the master of 
the suffrages of the people, to gain the dictatorship, which was at first only tem- 
porary ; but his ambition could only be satisfied by its becoming possession for 
life. To arrive at this supreme dignity, he was moderate in the administration 
of affairs ; but when he saw himself charged with an unbounded power, he go- 
verned the state with a sceptre of iron. As his humour depended on atmospheric 
changes, his despotism became clouded and jealous. Every thing in the state 
was done by him, and for him. He had no more friends; and no one was the 
confidant of his thoughts. Fearful of allowing any of his designs to transpire, or 
of communicating the smallest part of-his power, he never assisted himself by any 
counsel, following the dictates of his will alone, which he made to be executed 
with as much promptitude as severity. 
His character, soured by a conspiracy against his person, became so harsh, 
that his presence inspired fear. When he appeared in public, or when he passed 
along the streets, every body avoided him like a ferocious beast. He ordered the 
houses to be knocked down which were in his way, wishing to have space about 
him to keep away those whom he feared might attempt to take away his life. 
He never walked without arms, or unaccompanied by a guard. The walls of his 
apartments were covered with swords. Those most familiar only approached him 
at a distance ; their arms hanging down, and their hands open, as he was ever 
fearful of the presence of daggers. For more security, he never inhabited the 
same spot, nor the same house for two days, and he never retired without having 
shut the bolts himself. He never eat any thing which he had not previously ex- 
amined or prepared with his own hand, for fear of perishing by poison, and his 
soul was constantly agitated by those fears which are the result of violence used 
in power. 
But never was there a greater tyranny accompanied with such admirable virtue. 
Sober, active, economical, laborious, vigilant, he knows how to live upon little, and 
without luxury. He only keeps three or four servants, and his house resembles 
thatjof a simple citizen, rather than the residence of a prince, or a dictator. His 
manners possess an exemplary simplicity. He flies from all voluptuousness, 
which he considers pernicious to power. What is most remarkable in him is, 
that he has remained poor, without wife or children, with a power that must 
perish after him, and with riches which he only spends for the state. He 
loves those arts and sciences which are useful to the prosperity of his country ; 
so that he passes no day without consecrating some hours to study, and he is ac- 
quainted with all that can be learnt in a country where ignorance still reigns. 
It would appear that fortune gave birth to such a man, that he might lead by 
tyranny his people to liberty. His genius penetrated their character. He saw 
that, placed under a burning sun, shut up by rivers, surrounded by deserts and 
wild nations, they were ignorant, superstitious, and possessed of an extreme in- 
dolence, though they were not wanting either in intelligence or in natural saga- 
city ; but that their minds and bodies remained without any impulse, and, as it 
