Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/311

Rh became so hungry when thus aroused that he would pause in the heat of fighting and call for something to eat. He thought no more of danger there than when reciting prayers in the cloister. And not withstanding all this, in the ordinary affairs of life he displayed a decided impassiveness, a countenance so serene as never in the slightest degree to reveal the workings of the mind. Nor was he lacking in conversational powers, in courtesy, or even in sprightly good humor. Nature made him master of all her varying moods, and gave him the discretion to use them to good purpose as occasion demanded.

He wore various uniforms during his military career; before he became a soldier his dress was the usual habit of a cura, not the extreme priestly robe, but a long black frock coat, black vest, knee-breeches, stockings, and buckled shoes. He suffered constantly from headache, which was greatly relieved by a kerchief always worn wound round the head, and usually supplying the place of hat or hood.

The character of Morelos will stand the most searching scrutiny. Under closest analysis, its strength and beauty shine brightest. His originality and sound judgment command our highest admiration. Together with great military ability, which enabled him to design wise combinations, he possessed excellent discrimination. He knew how to select his officers and agents. Uneducated though he was both in the arts of war and policy, his marvellous instinct and prevision, united with sound common sense, gained for him high renown, not only as war commander, but as political chief. The most minute affairs and matters of apparently insignificant importance never escaped his watchful eye. He recognized the importance of attention to trifles. It seemed as if everything received his attention. A rigid catholic, he always confessed himself before going into action; and his religious scruples were such that after his first engagement he never personally celebrated mass, but delegated