and daring, patient of labour, of hale and robust constitutions,
and exceedingly friendly, being always ready to do
good offices to every one without consideration of
expence. In their inclinations and manner of life
they very much resembled each other, as neither of
them were married, though Almagro attained to seventy-five
years of age and the marquis to sixty-five. Both
loved war; but Almagro, when not thus employed, willingly
devoted himself to the management of his private affairs.
They were both advanced in life when they undertook
the discovery and conquest of Peru, in which they
both encountered great fatigues, as has been formerly
mentioned; but the marquis more especially was exposed
to great dangers, far beyond those of the president,
who remained long at Panama providing all necessaries
for the success of the enterprize, while the marquis
was actually engaged in the discovery and conquest
of the greater part of the country. Both had
great souls, continually occupied in vast designs and
splendid enterprizes; yet both were of gentle and conciliatory
manners, and of easy access to their followers.
They were both liberal and generous in their gifts;
yet the president loved to have his liberalities known
and published to the world; while the marquis carefully
concealed his gifts, and expressed uneasiness when
they were known or blazed abroad; being more anxious
to serve the necessities of those to whom he made them,
than to make an ostentatious display of his munificence.
One example of this is worthy of being mentioned.
He learnt that one of his soldiers had lost a horse,
on which occasion he went to a tennis-court belonging
to his house, expecting to meet the soldier in that
place, carrying with him an ingot of gold of ten pounds
weight, which he meant to present him with. Not
finding the soldier there, he engaged in a match at
tennis without taking off his coat, as he did not
wish the ingot should be noticed, which was concealed
below his waistcoat. He remained there above three
hours, when at length the soldier made his appearance.
The marquis then took him aside and gave him the gold,
saying that he would rather have given him thrice as
much than have been obliged to carry that heavy weight
so long.
Many other examples might be given of the secret liberalities
of the marquis, who gave all his presents with his
own hand that they might not be known. On this
account, Almagro was always considered as more liberal,
as his gifts were made in an ostentatious manner.
They may be considered, however, as perfectly equal
in their liberality and munificence; for, as the marquis
used to acknowledge that all came from their common
funds, being partners and associates in every thing
derived from their joint discovery and conquest, the
half of all that was given by one belonged to the
other, so that he who consented to or participated
in the present, was equally generous with the actual
donor. Besides, in proof that they both deserved