Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/407



TO THE BRAZILIAN FRONT. 377

tachiOj the hard network of wrinkles contrasting with the fresh, ruddy complexion, and the trick of bending slightly forwards as if to seek information. The brow of the Generalissimo is, however, narrower, and the eyes are closer set. Tough and spare, well knit, and of moderate height, he can endure great fatigue, and sit his horse for twelve hours together.

The career of Marshal Caxias is well known ; at least in the Brazil. He fought at Monte Caseros Feb. 3, 1852, and the next year he was employed in reducing Monte Video. He has ever been a devoted Conservative, personally hostile to the Liberal party ; and he took the field against them in the provinces of Sao Paulo and Minas Geraes.* His enemies openly declare that he would not strike a decisive blow whilst his friends were out of office, and while his partisans were being recruited in a lawless manner. It is hard to say of any general that he wittingly commits high treason : in the Brazil, however, men are not particular, and the army Marshal has certainly given a handle to scandal. I have spoken of General Osorio^s success at Humaita, and I shall have to speak of Marshal-President Lopez' escape from Loma Valentina. Moreover, the Generalissimo gave up his high office in an unofficer-like way; after entering Asuncion he de- clared that the war was ended, that he had fulfilled his en- gagement, and that he was determined to retire on a certain day. The excuse was a fainting-fit caused by the heat of a buttoned-up uniform at mass ; the public impression, how- ever, was that his illness was by no means serious, and, despite all official honours, he had no honour at home.

Like " Lord Khabardar," Marshal Caxias has been ac- cused of being painfully slow in his military movements.

Brazil."
 * I have alluded to this subject in Vol. II., " The Highlands of the