Book excerpt: Walter Seymour's polished and accurate prose is full of sharp and witty remarks that make him a perfect example of the travelling gentleman of the Victorian era, a sort of real life Phileas Fogg whose hand does not tremble when writing down impressions on the ways, manners, morals and South American politics -little has changed since--. Born on the 9th December, 1838, at Kinwarton, in Warwickshire, Walter was one of the five sons of Richard Seymour, a Canon of Worcester in charge of the Rectory. Italy and Palestine, and then Argentine -where his brother was attempting to set as "estanciero" surrounded by the indian's threat- were his first escapades. Back in England, Walter's wandering urges lead to an hilarious stay at Paraguay where "a complication turned up - one of those natural epidemics in South America, a revolution". Venezuela, Portugal, Spain, mingle with socialite stints at Dinard (France), escapades to Italy and Egipt and even a long stay at the US rubbing elbows at Bar Harbor with none less than Mr Pulitzer himself, who when once at London "wanted some Englishman to come with him." "...My experiences of life in South American republics have shown me that a republican government means a scramble for power, and for the money that clings to that power. In the Argentine tranquillity and turmoil - called revolution - are alternative states of government... ...The population of the Southern Republics was drawn from countries almost despotically governed, so anarchy and despotism were the natural alternate outcome. The United States Republic so far does not acknowledge the Divine right of revolution. They had a serious attempt at it, but since it failed they have not repeated it...." Ups & Downs is a "must" reading to render the latest Latin American events into proper perspective, with a pinch of old victorian salt.