Sketches From My Life

sometimes with admiration, sometimes with sneers, as the hot-bed of Jesuitism. Those who sneer say that the Jesuit fathers who left Spain un

e it with the discord, the crime, and the hatred of all authority which is now prevailing, alas! in most civilised countries, I look back to what I saw in Paraguay with a sigh of regret that such things are of the past. It was beautiful to see the respect paid to the Church (the acknowledged ruler of the place), the cleanliness and comfort of the farms and villages, the good-will and order that prevailed amongst

happy valley,' the strictest regulations were ma

by the English, and prepared to fight for their so-called rights. They threw a formidable barrier across the stream, and made a most gallant resistance. It was on this occasion that Captain (now Admiral) H-- performed the courageous action which covered him with renown for the rest of his life. The enemy had, amongst other defences, placed a heavy iron chain across the river. This chain it was absolutely necessary to remove, and the gallant officer I refer to, who commanded the attack squadron, set a splendid

unique), this big man had scarcely finished the pipe of peace which he smoked with the authorities, when he proposed to introduce vaccination and tracts among the people? Badly as the poor fellows felt the licking they had received, and much as they feared another should they give trouble to the invaders, they so resented our representative's meddling that he found it better to beat a hasty re

ls of my youthful adventures, but pass over the next three years or so, at which time, after having returned to England, I was appointed to another ship going to South America, for

always remarked that the pretty young Brazilian girls liked dancing with the fresh young English sa

ing on the slave trade, partly through the usual jealousy always felt by the ignorant towards the enlightened. So w

ave spoken of that the scene I

called the belle of Rio Janeiro. I will not attempt to portray her, but I must own she was far too bewitching fo

ery successful progress towards winning this girl's heart-if she had a heart.

dangerous game), Mademoiselle pretended (for I presume it was pretence) to be im

art with him a third time, when, to the astonishment of the lookers-on, of whom I formed part, the young Brazilia

s partner to a seat and came straight to me, putting his arm in mine and leading me into the verandah. The Brazilian picked himself up and came also into the verandah; in less time than I can write it a ho

ht night, such a night as ca

t age. The aggressor, whose jealous fury had driven him almost to madness when he committed an outrageous affront on a stranger, was a tall, handsome

efore handing them to the principals we made an effort at arrangement, an effort too contemptuously received to be insisted upon, and we saw that any attempt at reconciliation would be of no avail without the exchange of shots; so, handing to each his w

round and drop to the ground, his face downwards; we rushed up to him and found

s no time for thought. Something must be done at once, for reveng

haved like a gentleman, walking slowly away so as to give us time to escape. As we passed the scene of gaiety the sounds of music and dancing were going on, just as

out the affair that the ship to which A. belonged had to go to

that vessel, was not allo