But the time was arrived when his great talents were to be displayed on a much wider sphere. In order that this part of his history may be understood, we must say something about the events which were occurring in other countries.

Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France, had organized an immense army, which, under the direction of skilful generals, called Marshals, trained by himself, and most of them raised by merit from the ranks, had overrun almost all Europe, destroyed the ancient forms of government—put down the lawful kings, and placed his own brothers on their thrones. His great ambition was to invade England, and this he frequently threatened to do, and prepared armaments for the purpose. But that God who says to the proud waves and to prouder man, "Thus far shalt thou go and no further," mercifully held back his hand. Great alarm was excited in England, lest he should be able to land his forces on these shores, and a strong militia to defend the country was raised up in every part of it. The French navy was frequently defeated by our brave naval commanders, especially by Lord Nelson, and was taught that

"Britannia ruled the waves."

The army of England, until formed by the genius of Wellesley, was far inferior to that of France, but that love of their country which made them resolve to die rather than submit, gave them a strength and courage which nothing could finally

resist.

FERDINAND GOES TO FRANCE.

33

Events were now going on in the south of Europe, which brought affairs to a crisis.

Napoleon had induced the Spaniards to make a secret treaty with him against Portugal, the old ally and friend of England, and, to put it out of their power to change their purpose, he marched off the best Spanish troops into Germany, to employ them in the war he was then carrying on. He then poured his armies into Spain, marched them on to Lisbon, and took possession of that capital. The English merchandize was seized, the inhabitants forbidden to use arms, and cruel oppression exercised towards them. Junot was the marshal who commanded the French army. The inhabitants attempted a revolt, but he soon put it down. At length, in despair, they sunk into apathy, and neglected all their occupations, even their vineyards were left to grow wild. The Spaniards were soon to reap the fruits of their treachery to their neighbours. Disputes took place at Madrid, the reigning king was expelled, and Ferdinand VII., his son, proclaimed instead. Murat, the French marshal there, refused to recognize him as king. Napoleon thought this step too hasty, and recalled Murat, sending Savary to replace him in the command, with orders to accomplish by intrigue the destruction of Ferdinand. The latter madly determined on casting himself into the hands of the emperor, and with the whole royal family he went into France. Delighted to have so easily accomplished his purpose,

D

34

FERDINAND'S ABDICATION.

and finding them wholly in his power; Napoleon insisted on Ferdinand's abdicating the throne of Spain in favour of his brother Joseph Bonaparte. He had previously vowed, that if it cost him 200,000 men, he would possess himself of Spain. The Spaniards, enraged against their dastardly monarch, rose against the French, and murdered all they could meet with in Madrid. Murat, who had been made governor, fiercely retaliated, and the horrible cruelties committed by the French on the defenceless inhabitants caused a general revolt throughout Spain, and a junta was established for the government of the kingdom. At length, Napoleon obliged the nation to submit by force of arms to his brother Joseph, and French troops were placed in all parts of his usurped dominions, to keep him in possession of the throne.

The Pyrenees form the natural boundary, which divides Spain on the north from France: through these Napoleon had poured his army. There were still many Spaniards who hated the tyrant and longed for freedom. Some of these placed themselves under warlike leaders, and lying concealed in strongholds in the mountains, the guerrilla troops, as they were called, often rushed down unexpectedly upon their enemies, cut off their convoys, and seized their supplies. But they wanted generals who understood the art of war, and who could discipline them into an effective force, otherwise their bravery was lost against such

REVOLT OF SPANIARDS.

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admirable troops as those of the French, who had been accustomed to conquer wherever they went. Spain was reduced to a most hopeless condition, her fruitful provinces were devastated to supply her enemies with food, and her riches seized by them as lawful plunder. The inhabitants, who used to be a noble and generous people, had become, through the tyranny of her kings and the ignorance and superstition of the Romish priests who taught them, utterly debased. They had lost their high character as a nation, and were become crafty and deceitful. Not unfrequently those who professed to be brave and patriotic leaders turned out the basest cowards, and betrayed the cause which was intrusted to them, and the friends who supported them. Their armies were ill-paid, ill-fed, and ill-clothed, so that, in order to keep together, they had to plunder their own people. Just at this time, however, the affairs of the Spaniards partially revived, they had defended several cities bravely against the French, particularly that of Saragossa. In the northern provinces much patriotism was displayed, and the enemy was successfully attacked at once in different quarters. Moncey was driven from Valencia, and Dupont was first checked in his progress, then obliged to retreat, and finally to surrender with his whole army. Such was the astonishment of the French when they heard this news, that Joseph and his court fled from Madrid, and took refuge in Vitoria. Had she known how to improve her advantages,

36

JUNOT AT LISBON.

Spain might have done much to recover her lost liberty, but the Spaniards could never maintain their ground for want of good military leaders.

Such was the state of things when a small army was entrusted to Sir Arthur Wellesley, that he might oppose Napoleon in the Peninsula. The English were much divided as to the policy of the measure; but their great general, with his eagle glance, saw at once that it was the only right course to pursue, and from that moment the energies of his mind were devoted to this one object, which, in spite of every obstacle, he pursued till the emperor was a captive in his hands. Sir Arthur Wellesley said that by carrying on war in Portugal and Spain, where the enemy already was, it would effectually draw him away from England, and prevent the like calamities in our own land, and that, though the expense of the contest must be very great, yet it would not be more so than if carried on elsewhere, or if a large army was kept inactive at home.

Junot held possession of Lisbon with an army of 45,000 men. He was cordially hated by the Portuguese, and the news of the revolt in Spain and the flight of Joseph, filled him with alarm; still the strongest forts in both countries were in possession of the French, and their troops were commanded by some of their ablest generals.

But amongst the oppressed people murmuring and disaffection rapidly increased, and at length