Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/501



CONCLUDING LETTER. 471

trials of a prolonged war, I trust to receive from one and all of you the most cordial co-operation.

'^ Your support will enable me to fulfil all the demands of the arduous commission imposed upon me by my deep devotion to the greatness of Brazil.

" Long live the Brazilian nation !

" Long live the Emperor !

" Long live our Allies !

(Signed) ^' Gaston d^Orleans,

" Commander-in-Chief."

I will only say of this " Order of the day" that it shows the best intentions, but that it lacks flavour and originality, whilst the appeal to the " God of Armies" is an antiquated practice rapidly falling into decent disuse.

My task was now at end. I had now seen all the most interesting sites of the most heroic struggle known to the world since the "^ Beggars" of the Lower Provinces arrayed themselves against Philip of Spain. My companion and I had only to intone the pleasant words —

"Tralala — lalala, partons I

Oui, partons ! Prenous nos attributs."

We ran down to the river in the Osorio, Captain Smith,

an old acquaintance ; and enjoyed ourselves in the company

of the " raw Scotch laddie ;" whilst Mr. Cawmell, the purser,

could complain only of over-fatigue — perhaps he was born

tired — induced by perpetually handling the " swizzle-stick."

The next day saw us at Humaita, whose batteries had clean

disappeared, whilst the church had not been repaired. The

rive]' bank looked low after the falaise of Asuncion, even as

the grand proportions of Bio (de Janeiro) Bay and

" The tow'ring headlands crowned with mist. Their feet among the billows,"

are dwarfed by contrast with the Platine mouth. Corrientes