Thousands of deserters prowling about the country, robbing and murdering, and spreading everywhere the precious lessons they have learnt in barracks.

We know something in England of the good moral influence that garrisons and recruiting sergeants carry about with them; and can judge a little what must be the result of the spreading of numbers of these fellows over a country where there is nothing to restrain their excesses! As for the soldiers themselves, one does not wonder at their deserting, for they are in great part pressed men, earned off from their homes, and shut up in barracks till they have been drilled, and are considered to be tamed; and moreover their pay, as one may judge from the general state of the military finances, is anything but regular.

People who understand such matters, say that the Mexicans make very good soldiers, and fight well and steadily when well trained and well officered.

They are able to march surprising distances, day after day, to live cheerfully on the very minimum of food, and to sleep anyhow.

This we could judge for ourselves.