Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-06-18

our own. But it is impossible for men to
be more perfect than they are in their
tactics. have frequently seen them fire
| by regiments, in line, nor could perceive
the slightest irregularity in the perform
ance Of this duty. They fire so simulta-
neously that the incest ear can hear but a
single discharge; in point of field exercise,
l think our troops must yield the palm to
the Spanish troops--and also in their dress
and military equipments--but in every
thing that constitutes the efficient soldiers,
they are inferior to ours. Their evelutions,
whether owing to the nature of their tao.
tics, or the influence Of the climate, are
slow and heavy--nor do they seem to
possess that mental and physical energy
and self determination which always con-
quers because determined to conquer,
which constitute the essential requisites of
a good soldier. The Spanish troops are
brave; but it is like the bravery most cur
rent in the world--the bravery of local;tv
and circumstance. They will fight like Spar
tans on their own soil with foe using
the same mode of warfare with them
selves: but they would make feeble stand
before our impetuous and intrepid troops.
These regiments are sent from old Spain,
and after remaining here few years they
are recalled, and their places supplied by
others, lest their loyalty should grow feeble
and cold by too long separation from the
beams of royalty, that radato so brilliantly
from that paragon of royalty, Ferdinand
Rex of Spain.
Ihave Just returned from witnessing one
of the grandest professions and ceremonies
have ever seen, or ever expect to see
again. His majesty the late king of Spain
having died few months ago, by man.
date of the court his funeral was to be SOL
emnized on the first of January, in all parts
of his dominions by military professions
and other demonstrations of grief: here
everything was on a scale Of the most
splendid magnifcense. The ceremonies
continued from A. M. till 4 p M.-du.
ring which time high mass was said, and
the requiem for the dead was chanted in
the cathedral for his souls repose, of which,
Irather expect, it was greatly in want A.
very splendid temporary cenotaph was
erected in the midst of the cathedral,
hung with the arms of Spain, and insignia
of royalty in an inverted order, decorated
in allthe external pomp of wo--and around
the base of the cenotaph, were the figures
Of Justice, mercy, peace, and truth weeping,
under the dropping banners of Spain, in a
recumbent posture-while hundreds of
wax tapers, white and black, were burning
in circles round the cenotaph and in every
part of the cathedral. 1t was a very SOL
emn and imposing scene. But enjoyed in
much higher degree, the ceremonies in
the streets. There 10000 troops with three
times that number Of citizens marched
through Sin solemn and slow pace" the
troops with arms reversed, preceded by
three bands of music, consisting each of 4s
members, in all I44. The music was deep
ly affecting-and though / am no great
friend of kings-and not much affected by
grief at their death, yet could not forbear
weeping on this occasion. The music was
ancient moorish airs, wild and wailing, mel
ting and melancholy-ju sucha the moors
mig ht be expected to indulge in, on leaving
the rich and fowery plains of Grenada
and Andalusia, for the sandy and sterile
deserts of Africa. In addition to this we
had vollies from thousands Of musketry,
and from hundreds of cannon on the walls,
castles and shipping, to torture our ears,
stun our senses and shake the city, every
thirty minutes.
Royalty is very fine thing in its way,
and it is fine thing to lose king, as to
find one: and the loyal citizens of Havana,
after grieving eight hours as well as they
could, returned to their homes to eat doaDn
and drink do,on, that portion of their grief
which was too great for utterance-and
were fully convinced Of this important
truth in favor of royalty-that before men
can haze those splendid pageantS and process
sions, they must first haze kings. No kings
no pageaats, is selfevident proposition
| But all selfevident propositions are truths,
and truth is Indispensable; ergo, kings and
pageants are indispensable.
Since the demise of the late king of Spain,
a furious civil war has sprung up and is ra-
ging with the usual ferocity of civil wars
there, about the right of succession. Don
Carlos claims the crown upon the ancient
Salique law, which his ministers contend, is
in force in Spain as well as IN France-a
law that dsquaities women from reign
ing. The queen on the other hand is de-
termined tobe on the throne, if she can, Sa-
lique law, or no Saique law. But the people
here are perfectly Indifferent about the
quarrel, ready to submit to the conquror;
and while remain in their majesties do
minons, shall wish them both success.
have little doubt but that it will prove a
Kilkenny cat affair in the end.