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lists were in readiness designating those of the French who were to be
put to death； as well as those by whom the severe orders of the Imperial
Government had been mitigated； and who were only to be banished。 In
fact； revolt was as natural to the Italians as submission to the Germans；
and as the fury of despair to the Spanish nation。 On this subject I may
cite an observation contained in one of the works of Alfieri； published
fifteen years before the Spanish war。 Taking a cursory view of the
different European nations he regardedthe Spaniards as the only people
possessed of 〃sufficient energy to struggle against foreign usurpation。〃
Had I still been near the person of Napoleon I would most assuredly have
resorted to an innocent artifice； which I had several times employed； and
placed the work of Alfieri on his table open at the page I wished him to
read。 Alfieri's opinion of the Spanish people was in the end fully
verified； and I confess I cannot think without shuddering of the torrents
of blood which inundated the Peninsula； and for what？ To make Joseph
Bonaparte a King！
The commencement of 1811 was sufficiently favourable to the French arms
in Spain； but towards the beginning of March the aspect of affairs
changed。 The Duke of Belluno； notwithstanding the valour of his troops；
was unsuccessful at Chiclana； and from that day the French army could not
make head against the combined forces of England and Portugal。 Even
Massena； notwithstanding the title of Prince of Eslingen （or Essling）；
which he had won under the walls of Vienna； was no longer 〃the favourite
child of victory〃 as he had been at Zurich。
Having mentioned Massena I may observe that he did not favour the change
of the French Government on the foundation of the Empire。 Massena loved
two things； glory and money； but as to what is termed honours； he only
valued those which resulted from the command of an army； and his
recollections all bound him to the Republic； because the Republic
recalled to his mind the most brilliant and glorious events of his
military career。 He was； besides； among the number of the Marshals who
wished to see a limit put to the ambition of Bonaparte； and he had
assuredly done enough； since the commencement of the wars of the
Republic； to be permitted to enjoy some repose； which his health at that
period required。 What could he achieve against the English in Portugal？
The combined forces of England and Portugal daily augmented； while ours
diminished。 No efforts were spared by England to gain a superiority in
the great struggle in which she was engaged； as her money was lavished
profusely； her troops paid well wherever they went； and were abundantly
supplied with ammunition and provisions： the French army was compelled；
though far from possessing such ample means； to purchase at the same high
rate； in order to keep the natives from joining the English party。 But
even this did not prevent numerous partial insurrections in different
places； which rendered all communication with France extremely difficult。
Armed bands continually carried off our dispersed soldiers； and the
presence of the British troops； supported by the money they spent in the
country； excited the inhabitants against us； for it is impossible to
suppose that； unsupported by the English； Portugal could have held out a
single moment against France。 But battles； bad weather； and even want；
had so reduced the French force that it was absolutely necessary our
troops should repose when their enterprises could lead to no results。
In this state of things Massena was recalled； because his health was so
materially injured as to render it impossible for him to exert sufficient
activity to restore the army to a respectable footing。
Under these circumstances Bonaparte sent Bertrand into Illyria to take
the place of Marmont； who was ordered in his turn to relieve Massena and
take command of the French army in Portugal Marmont on assuming the
command found the troops in a deplorable state。 The difficulty of
procuring provisions was extreme； and the means he was compelled to
employ for that purpose greatly heightened the evil； at the same time
insubordination and want of discipline prevailed to such an alarming
degree that it would be as difficult as painful to depict the situation
of our army at this period； Marmont； by his steady conduct； fortunately
succeeded in correcting the disorders which prevailed； and very soon
found himself at the head of a well…organised army； amounting to 30；000
infantry； with forty pieces of artillery； but he had only a very small
body of cavalry； and those ill…mounted。
Affairs in Spain at the commencement of 1811 exhibited an aspect not very
different from those of Portugal。 At first we were uniformly successful；
but our advantages were so dearly purchased that the ultimate issue of
this struggle might easily have been foreseen； because when a people
fight for their homes and their liberties the invading army must
gradually diminish； while at the same time the armed population；
emboldened by success； increases in a still more marked progression。
Insurrection was now regarded by the Spaniards as a holy and sacred duty；
to which the recent meetings of the Cortes in the Isle of Leon had given；
as it were； a legitimate character； since Spain found again； in the
remembrance of her ancient privileges； at least the shadow of a
Governmenta centre around which the defenders of the soil of the
Peninsula could rally。
＇Lord Wellington gave Massena a beating at Fuentes d'Onore on the
5th of May 1811。 It was soon after this battle that Napoleon sent
Marmont to succeed Massena。 Advancing on the southern frontier of
Portugal the skillful Soult contrived to take Badajoz from a
wavering Spanish garrison。 About this time； however； General
Graham； with his British corps； sallied out of Cadiz； and beat the
French on the heights of Barrosa； which lie in front of Cadiz； which
city the French were then besieging。 Encouraged by the successes of
our regular armies； the Spanish Guerillas became more and more
numerous and daring。 By the end of 1811 Joseph Bonaparte found so
many thorns in his usurped crown that he implored his brother to put
it on some other head。 Napoleon would not then listen to his
prayer。 In the course of 1811 a plan was laid for liberating
Ferdinand from his prison in France and placing him at the head of
affairs in Spain； but was detected by the emissaries of Bonaparte's
police。 Ferdinand's sister； the ex…Queen of Etruria； had also
planned an escape to England。 Her agents were betrayed； tried by a
military commission； and shotthe Princess herself was condemned to
close confinement in a Roman convent。Editor of 1836 edition。＇
The Continental system was the cause； if not of the eventual fall； at
least of the rapid fall of Napoleon。 This cannot be doubted if we
consider for a moment the brilliant situation of the Empire in 1811；
and the effect simultaneously produced throughout Europe by that system；
which undermined the most powerful throne which