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
