Constable's Miscellany of Original and Selected Publications in the Various Departments of Literature, Science, & the Arts Volume 27 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828 Excerpt: ...the exception of La Mancha and the city of Madrid) were the provinces least distinguished for a military, patriotic, or provincial spirit, in all Spain: the people had been passive during the late events, and had seen their country occupied successively by the strongest party, and that it was even difficult to blame them; for, living in open villages, in vast plains, destitute both of arms and of horses, they had neither the means of defence nor escape. That such a country must of-necessity belong to the party which was superior in cavalry: still, that even there a right feeling was not awanting; the towns were abandoned at the approach of the enemy; not a single magistrate had been brought over to take the oath of allegiance to the intruder, nor had the French been able to enlist a single soldier. The other provinces were possessed by the most ardent and determined spirit. There was no doubt of the people. The government was new, and had hitherto been too numerous to be very active, but there was hope that that inconvenience would be soon remedied. "They are resolute," added Mr Frere, "and I believe every man of them determined to perish with the country. They will not at least, set the example, which the ruling powers and higher orders of other countries have exhibited, of weakness and timidity."--Great advantages, the Ambassador thought, would result from advancing speedily to cover Madrid. The people of that town were very resolute and determined to defend it, in spite of its open situation; and nothing could be more unfavourable to the claims of the intruder, than to lay siege to the capital. The first object of the British, therefore, he thought, should be to march thither, and collect a force capable of resisting the French, befor...