er, however, had Spain been liberated by the success of the
British arms over Napoleon's generals in the Peninsula, than she made
use of her recovered liberty again to enthral the hapless colonists.
Simon Bolivar, who had hitherto taken no active part in the revolution,
was at length won over to espouse the cause of Freedom; and a congress
having been assembled at Caracas to organise a new Government for the
state of Venezuela, he proceeded to England for the purpose of
endeavouring to induce the British Cabinet to aid the cause of Liberty.
Finding, however, that the English had resolved on maintaining a strict
neutrality, though they had ample excuses for interfering in the cause
of humanity, he returned in disgust to Caracas.

Sometimes success attended the Patriot arms, sometimes the Royalists
were victorious. At length a dreadful earthquake occurred. I remember
it well. Fear was inspired by the terrible destruction it caused to
life and property. In the three cities of Caracas, La Guayra, and
Merida, twenty thousand persons perished. The priests, monks, and
friars, who in general were the main supporters of Spanish tyranny,
knowing that with the advancement of Liberal principles their power
would be decreased, if not overthrown, declared this catastrophe to be a
judgment on the revolutionists. About twelve hundred of the Royalist
prisoners who were confined in the fortress of Puerto Cabello, of which
Bolivar was then commandant, having broken loose, murdered some of the
garrison, and by the treachery of the officer on guard took possession
of the citadel. Bolivar, with a band of followers, narrowly escaped
destruction; and General Miranda, who was at Vittoria, on hearing that
this important place, with all its stores, arms, and ammunition, was
deserted, capitulated in despair to Monteverde, the Royalist general;
and being sent in irons to Spain, he there died--shortly afterwards--in
a dungeon.

The whole country was now once more entirely in the hands of the
Royalists, who inflicted the most fearful cruelties on the hapless
inhabitants. On pretexts the most trivial, old men, women, and children
were arrested, their houses plundered, and they themselves maimed in the
most horrible way, or massacred as rebels.

I have been speaking chiefly of Venezuela. The Liberals in New Granada
suffered similar reverses; but, in consequence of the inaccessible
nature of many parts of the country, the Patriots, although d