I had little opportunity of seeing the better sort of Spanish settlers, as they had all left the place before we took it; and, during the siege, those I had any opportunity of knowing, were of the poorer sort, who used to visit Maria de Parides and her father, Don Santanos. They are ignorant in the extreme, and very superstitious. Maria told me, with the utmost concern, that the cause of her husband’s death was his being bewitched by an old Indian, to whom he had refused some partridges, as he returned from hunting, a few days before the battle. As I became acquainted with the language, I observed many singular traits of character. When Maria, or old Santanos, yawned, they crossed their mouth with the utmost haste, to prevent the Devil going down their throats. If Santanos sneezed, Maria called, “Jesus!” his answer was, “_Muchas gracias_,” “Many thanks."--When they knock at any door, they say, “_Ave Maria purissima_;” they open at once, as they think no one with an evil intent will use this holy phrase. When they meet a woman, they say, “_A sus pies senora_,” or, “_Beso los pies de Usted_,” “I lay myself at your feet,” or, “I kiss your feet.” As they part, he says, “_Me tengo a sus pies de Usted_,” or, “_Baxo de sus pies_,” “I am at your feet,” or, “Keep me at your feet;” she replies, “_Beso a Usted la mano, Cavallero_,” “I kiss your hand, Sir.” When they leave any one, they say, “_Vaya Usted con Dios_,” or, “_Con la Virgen_,” “May God, (or, the Holy Virgin,) attend you.” When they are angry, it is a common phrase with them, “_Vaya Usted con cien mil Demonios_,” “Begone with a hundred thousand Devils."--Maria was concerned that I should be a heretic, and wished much I would change my religion and become a Catholic, as the only means of my salvation. In vain I said to her, “_Muchos caminos al cielo_,” “Many roads to heaven.” There were few priests in the town, as they had thought it better to move off to Buenos Ayres, with the church plate, &c. before we took the town, than trust to their prayers and our generosity. Maria, however, got one to convert me, as her own father-confessor had gone with the rest. It was in the afternoon, on my return from guard, I first met him. His appearance made an impression on me, much in his favour; he was tall and graceful, and wore his beard, which was grey and full, giving a venerable cast to his face, and softening the wrinkles that time had made in his forehead. Maria introduced me to him as a young man who was willing to receive instruction, and one she wished much to believe in all the doctrines of the Holy Church, that I might not be lost for ever through my unbelief. He then began to say a great deal about the errors of the Protestants, and their undone state, since they had left the true church. The only answer I made was, “Muchos caminos al cielo.” He shook his head, and said, all heretics were a stubborn sort of people, but begged me to consider of what he said.