188 SWABEY DIARY. 
the 5th Dragoon Guards. The condition of their horses far exceeds 
anything I have seen. It must be observed, however, without wishing 
to detract from their merits, that they have been lying in idleness at 
Thomar all the winter, whilst we and others have been on short forage 
and taking fatiguing marches, Their appointments and discipline, 
however, sufficiently prove that this good fortune is not the only cause 
of their present effective state. 
9th March.—The two troops, so recently from their march, were to- 
day drilled by Major Downman preparatory to being seen by Sir S. 
Cotton; this is a new method of making troops of Horse Artillery 
effective. After it was over I went to take a more minute view of the 
castle, which stands asa citadel, and has regular bastions and ravelins, 
but no guns are mounted. The works and foundations are hewn out of 
a solid rock and would be difficult to breach, but the whole place is com- 
manded by surrounding heights. From this castle are seen Jurumanha 
and Olivenga, now dismantled, and the walls of the famous royal park 
of Villa Vicosa, many leagues in circumference, abounding with wild 
boar and venison, which are forbidden fruit to the army, Lord W.’s 
orders being very severe on this subject. 
10th March.—Dined with Major-General Charles Alten! Reports in 
circulation of a small party of the enemy being seen by a picquet of 
the 4th, at Jurumanha. 
11th March.—We were reviewed by Major-General Sir Stapleton 
Cotton, who was pleased to express himself satisfied with our appear- 
ance. If he was as much so as I was displeased at our being lugged 
out with fatigued and thin horses, much to our prejudice, his satisfaction 
must have been infinite. 
12th March.—Great firing supposed to have been heard by General 
Alten, who rode towards Jurumanha, but could discover nothing. 
13th March.—Went to take a more minute view of the castle, 
anciently intended for the defence of this place but now in a ruinous 
state; it is useless, being commanded in every direction, but its cells 
and dungeons deserve to be in the annals of romance. There is an 
ancient armoury here, but the armour is now lying in a promiscuous 
heap. I could not help thinking of the Welsh gentleman who spent 
£500 in establishing his family at the Herald’s office and afterwards 
brought an action against the King-at-Arms for extortion. He might 
here have procured suits enough for nothing with which to have 
adorned all his halls in Wales, and established, beyond controversy, 
the antiquity of his house. 
14th March.—The 1st, 6th and 7th divisions marched for Elvas, and 
farther. 
15th March.—The dragoons marched for Olivenca, our route is not 
yet come. 
16th March.—Marched to Olivenga, five leagues, byabad road. We 
crossed the Guadiana at Jurumanha; this place is high and strong and 
1 Commanding 2nd brigade, 7th division. 
