Короли и капуста
Masters of arts
Hewastheabsolutedespotandtheidolofhispeople.Thewealthofthecountrypouredintohishands.Otherpresidentshadbeenrapaciouswithoutreason.Losadaamassedenormouswealth,buthispeoplehadtheirshareofthebenefits.
Thejointinhisarmourwashisinsatiatepassionformonumentsandtokenscommemoratinghisglory.Ineverytownhecausedtobeerectedstatuesofhimselfbearinglegendsinpraiseofhisgreatness.Inthewallsofeverypublicedifice,tabletswerefixedrecitinghissplendourandthegratitudeofhissubjects.Hisstatuettesandportraitswerescatteredthroughoutthelandineveryhouseandhut.OneofthesycophantsinhiscourtpaintedhimasSt.John,withahaloandatrainofattendantsinfulluniform.Losadasawnothingincongruousinthispicture,andhadithunginachurchinthecapital.HeorderedfromaFrenchsculptoramarblegroupincludinghimselfwithNapoleon,AlexandertheGreat,andoneortwootherswhomhedeemedworthyofthehonour.
HeransackedEuropefordecorations,employingpolicy,moneyandintriguetocajoletheordershecovetedfromkingsandrulers.Onstateoccasionshisbreastwascoveredfromshouldertoshoulderwithcrosses,stars,goldenroses,medalsandribbons.Itwassaidthatthemanwhocouldcontriveforhimanewdecoration,orinventsomenewmethodofextollinghisgreatness,mightplungeahanddeepintothetreasury.
ThiswasthemanuponwhomBillyKeoghhadhiseye.
