er into
negotiations with France through the medium of Russia was one of the
remarkable circumstances of the period of which I am speaking. I knew
positively that England was determined never to allow Napoleon to possess
himself of the whole of the Continent,--a project which he indicated too
undisguisedly to admit of any doubt respecting it. For two years he had
indeed advanced with rapid strides; but England was not discouraged. She
was too well aware of the irritation of the sovereigns and the discontent
of the people not be certain that when she desired it, her lever of gold
would again raise up and arm the Continent against the encroaching power
of Napoleon. He, on his part, perceiving that all his attempts were
fruitless, and that England would listen to no proposals, devised fresh
plans for raising up new enemies against England.

It probably is not forgotten that in 1801 France compelled Portugal to
make common cause with her against England. In 1807 the Emperor did
again what the First Consul had done. By an inexplicable fatality Junot
obtained the command of the troops which were marching against Portugal.
I say against Portugal, for that was the fact, though France represented
herself as a protector to deliver Portugal from the influence of England.
Be that as it may, the choice which the Emperor made of a commander
astonished everybody. Was Junot, a compound of vanity and mediocrity,
the fit man to be entrusted with the command of an army in a distant
country, and under circumstances in which great political and military
talents were requisite? For my own part, knowing Junot's incapacity, I
must acknowledge that his appointment astonished me. I remember one day,
when I was speaking on the subject to Bernadotte, he showed me a letter
he had received from Paris, in which it was said that the Emperor had
sent Junot to Portugal only for the sake of depriving him of the
government of Paris. Junot annoyed Napoleon by his bad conduct, his
folly, and his incredible extravagance. He was alike devoid of
dignity--either in feeling or conduct. Thus Portugal was twice the
place of exile selected by Consular and Imperial caprice: first, when
the First Consul wished to get rid of the familiarity of Lannes; and
next, when the Emperor grew weary of the misconduct of a favourite.

The invasion of Portugal presented no difficulty. It was an armed
promenade and not a war; but how many events were connected with the
occupation