The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower].

  • Boutflower, Charles, 1782-1844.
Date:
[1912]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    32/192 (page 28)
    [1809] 2oth. We halted this Day at Estremos. In the course of [Dec ] the Day newspapers to the 2gth Ulto. arrived. They state ten thousand men being about to embark for this Country,which has been confirmed by Letters received by different Officers. This renders it probable that the defence of this Country is certainly to be attempted. 2ist. This Morning I bade adieu to my fair Hostesses at Estremos, who gave me their best wishes for my future wel- fare and assurance of the best reception if I should ever again travel this Road. I had been two Days and Nights in this Inn during which time I had a Fire constantly in my Room. They provided me with an excellent Bed and good Breakfasts, also Beds for my Servants and Stabling for my Horses. On going away I demanded my Bill and to my Astonishment found all the above comforts were provided for the moderate charge of four shillings and sixpence sterling. Our march this day was to a miserable place called Cano, twelve Miles from Estremos. The Inhabitants are all poor, and the place furnishes nothing worthy of observation, except- ing the extreme beauty with which the Olive Groves in the Neighbourhood are laid out. 22d. I was this Day detained at Cano several hours after the Regiment in procuring a Car for the conveyance of some Sick ; the Juez de Foro not being able to write or read was obliged to issue his orders verbally, which appeared to me to be very little regarded, and in consequence a considerable delay took place. While the old Gentleman was busy search- ing for the Car, I amused myself in conversing with his Daughter, a really pretty Girl, but as ignorant of everything not actually passing under her observation as a young savage in the wilds of America. She overwhelmed me with Questions as to the Modes and Customs of the English, and was par- ticularly inquisitive as to the Ceremony of Matrimony. She had been taught to believe that an Englishman was by no means limited in the number of his Wives.