of the Spaniards covered the land with scenes, on the
details of which it is shocking to dwell. The French soldiery, hemmed
in, insulted, and whenever they could be found separately,
sacrificed--often with every circumstance of savage torture--retorted by
equal barbarity whenever they had the means. Popular bodies (juntas)
assumed the conduct of affairs in most of the cities and provinces,
renounced the yoke of France, reproclaimed Ferdinand king, and at the
maritime stations of chief importance entered into communication with
the English fleets, from whom they failed not to receive pecuniary
supplies, and every encouragement to proceed in their measures. Deputies
were sent to England without delay; and welcomed there with the utmost
enthusiasm of sympathy and admiration. England could both speak and act
openly. Throughout the whole of the enslaved continent the news of the
Spanish insurrection was brooded over with a sullen joy.

Napoleon received the intelligence with alarm; but he had already gone
too far to retract without disturbing the magical influence of his
reputation. He, moreover, was willing to flatter himself that the lower
population of Spain alone took an active part in these transactions;
that the nobility, whose degradation he could hardly over-estimate,
would abide by his voice; in a word, that with 80,000 troops in Spain,
besides Junot's army in Portugal, he possessed the means of suppressing
the tumult after the first effervescence should have escaped. He
proceeded, therefore, to act precisely as if no insurrection had
occurred. Tranquillity being re-established in Madrid, the Council of
Castile were convoked, and commanded to elect a new sovereign: their
choice had of course been settled beforehand: it fell on Joseph
Buonaparte, King of Naples; and ere it was announced, that personage was
already on his way to Bayonne. Ninety-five _Notables_ of Spain met him
in that town; and swore fealty to him and a new Constitution, the
manufacture of course of Napoleon. Joseph, on entering Spain, was met by
unequivocal symptoms of scorn and hatred:--nay, one great battle had
already been fought between the French and the patriots:--but, the main
road being strongly occupied throughout with his brother's troops, he
reached Madrid in safety.

Lucien Buonaparte, it is understood, received the first offer of this
crown; but he did not envy the condition of his brother's royal vassals,
and declined the dangerous hon