A MAN BOUND TO GET ON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 123, 1 April 1879, Page 2

A MAN BOUND TO GET ON.

The Pall Mall Gazette, in noticing, the death of Marshal Espartcro, gives the following incidents in his early career: Being student in 180.8, when the French invaded Spain, he enlisted in the "Sacret Battalion," formed of university pupils, and so distinguish himself in skirmishes with the enemy that he was allowed to enter the Military School, whence .he issued with an ensign's commission at twenty three. This was in 1814 ; and next year he applied for leave to join General Murillo's expedition, which ra going to South America to l educe the insurgent colonies, There were many other applicants for this service more infiuentirl than

Espartero, who had no connections whatever, and Murillo at first refused his offer somewhat contemptuously but, the ' young officer boldly addressed the King, at a Levee in the Eaeurial, and Ferdinand was so pleased with his spirit that he not only complied with the request but promoted him captain otit ■of hand. Such things could be done in -the good times of Royalty. Espartero went out to America, and, having won the favor of Murillo, was rapidly advanced to the rank of major in 1815, lieutenant-colonel in 1817 and colonel in 1822. By that time, Pablo Murillo's campaign having disastrously failed, Spain was obliged to abandon her colonics, and Espartero returned to Europe; but he came back loaded with wealth, His recipe for getting promotion and money together, was very simple; he shortly disposed of the insurgents who fell into his hands, and confiscated their property. The pictures in churches, the plate in convents, were no more respected by him than the belongings of private persons, for he seemed to have laid to heart the lessons in spoliation which Marshal Soult had set to the Spaniards in the Peninsula. One exploit of Espfrrtero's showed a real genius in looting. Having captured 2,000 insurgents slaves belonging to General Garcia Munos, a Peruvian planter who hid remained personally neutral in the rebellion though he was suspected of having armed his slaves. Espartero gave him the option of buying back the slaves or seeing them all shot. Munos paid the ransom; • then Espartero announced that he meant to levy the slaves for the King's service unless their master would pay a further sum for their exemption. Munos, not liking.this method of dealing, used some strong words, whereupon Espartero called him out and killed him in a duel. A man of this calibre was " bound to get on andj in fact, the young colonel returned to Spain with quite a dashing reputation,