e execution of the lines
of Torres Vedras. This defensive position was skilfully selected, and as
skilfully fortified. Such was the secrecy and celerity observed in the
construction of the works, that the French had learned nothing of their
existence, numerous as were their spies, and the English army generally
knew as little of it as the French. When the moment arrived for the
execution of his project, the English general retired behind these
lines, in the face of an overwhelmingly numerous enemy, who gazed with
wonder upon the impregnable defences which were presented to their view.

Before, however, the British accomplished their retreat, one more
victory testified their greatness in battle, and the superiority of
their chief. The English took post on the heights of Busaco. The French
attacked the position, and were repulsed. Having entered the lines of
Torres Vedras, the British awaited the advance of the grand army which
was to drive them into the sea. Massena advanced in his pride and
his power, but recoiled from the task of storming such well-prepared
positions. Having waited long enough, without being able to make
any impression upon the English lines of defence, to bring disease,
discouragement, and scarcity of provisions upon his own army, he
retired, harassed in his retreat by the exulting English. While
Wellesley was thus engaged in personally superintending the defence of
Lisbon, by maintaining the fortified lines thrown up between the Douro
and the sea, he was also occupied with general plans for ultimately
driving the French out of the Peninsula, directing operations in places
at a distance from his head-quarters, and carrying on a laborious
correspondence with the Portuguese and British civil authorities, and
even with the Spanish patriots. When Massena was driven into Spain,
Wellesley's first care was the reconquest of the frontier fortresses.
Almeida, Ciudad Rodrigo, and Badajoz, fell into the hands of the British
general, then Lord Wellington. His successes were, however, obtained
with great difficulty and loss of his soldiers, through the inadequate
supply of material to his army by the home authorities. Every fortress
which was not strategically abandoned by the French, was won by the
skill of the general-in-chief, and the recklessness of life shown by his
soldiers, in spite of the want of almost every appliance proper for
an army. The sieges which Wellington prosecuted to a successful result
"will