Rapid retreat of Joseph.

opprobrium and accompanied by the public execration and their own remorse.

The great mass of the populace of Madrid were the joyful spectators of this caravan; they distinguished themselves by their prudence and tranquillity; and, with a noble generosity, even pitied the misfortunes of those who had so grossly insulted and oppressed

them.

Aribos and Aguelo, the confidential ministers of the intrusive king, having arrived at Madrid on this day -the one with a large escort, and the other only accompanied by three soldiers, they found the public indignation so strong that they were glad to march off in the morning of the 11th, with the remainder of the French troops, except those left in the Retiro. It was said that the object of those gentry was to burn some of their secret papers, and to save some effects, which, in their hurry on the preceding day, they had forgotten, and in this they were partly successful.

On the 12th of August the French garrison, destined for the defence of the Retiro, shut itself up within these works, fearing the indignation and revenge of the populace; and as soon as they left the city, the shops were again opened in full confidence of the speedy approach of the British, though they had all been shut for two days, from a fear of plunder, arising from a knowledge which every body had of former proceedings of the French army on a similiar occasion; and the people now felt themselves, as it were able, to respire after the oppression and slavery with which they had been hitherto born down. fact, as described by the Spanish narrator, the inhabitants, giving themselves up to their joy, manifested, by their language and embraces, all that flame of patriotism, which they had been so long obliged to conceal.

In

In the afternoon of that day the allied army began to enter the city; and from that moment the public joy

knew

Glorious reception of the Marquis

knew no bounds. The people of Madrid now seemed one united family. Friends, known and unknown, without difference from age, sex, or condition, conversed and embraced, giving mutual pledges of the liberty they had so anxiously panted for. The arrival. of the first English, Spanish, and Portuguese officers raised this joy to the highest pitch. Never did any people manifest with so much cordiality and energy their gratitude to their deliverers.

The entrance of the Marquis of Wellington into Madrid was grand in the extreme. The enthusiasm of all ranks, particularly the females, bordered on madness-they were frantic with joy.

The entrance into Salamanca, Segovia, and Ildefonso, was equal to the triumphal entries of the heroes of antiquity. But when on the second day Lord Wellington made his entry into the capital, the spectacle was truly grand. His Lordship was attended by the flower of the British nobility, and by all the generals of the allied army; whilst the Spanish nobility, the dignitaries of the church, the magistrates, and all the principal inhabitants, came out to meet him accompanied by almost, the whole population of the city; to be present at the ceremony of the presentation of the keys.

The air was rent with cries of "Viva le Duc de Rodrigo grande"-but the elegant females, and those of the first rank, were the most particular they threw under the horses' feet not only laurels and flowers; but a very great many threw their shawls and veils, which were of the finest texture,

When the Marquis attempted to alight at the palace, women of the first quality, old and young, hugged and kissed him, and even every person whom they took for him, so that it was a long time before he and the generals got housed. There was, indeed, little trouble in getting billets; for the inhabitants got hold of the British officers where they could, find them

t

Occurrences at Madrid.

them, and insisted on making them inmates of their houses.*

During this and the following days the acclamations and vivas, which hailed the conquerors of Salamanca, never ceased for a minute. The troops of the three nations, and the overjoyed inhabitants of the ́late ill-fated city, embraced each other without distinction, and appeared, what they really were, a nation of brothers. The doors of all the houses were seen instantly adorned, as if by enchantment; and every thing contributed to prove that the inhabitants considered this day as the Aurora of Liberty,

"Brave and generous allies!" exclaims the narrator-" you met not with, at Madrid, the solemn pomp due to your triumph; but the people manifested to you their heart-that heart as constant in adversity, and firm in its resolution, as tender and feeling in its gratitude!"

On the 13th of August in the evening, as we have already noticed, the investment or blockade of the Retiro commenced and on that day was proclaimed, by order of the Marquis of Wellington, as Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo, the Constitution formed by the General and Extraordinary Cortes of the kingdom; Don Carlos Espana, governor of the capital and its provence, and Marshal Miguel Alava, presiding at the

act.

On this solemn and important occasion the concourse of people, of applauding crowds, was immense, and appeared to have multiplied the inhabitants of the capital, who, during the reign of the French tyranny, had been reduced to one third of their original number. The ceremony was perform

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ed

* When the French garrisons was marched out of the Retiro, though they were privately sent off by a detour, the populace got notice, and were with difficulty kept by the British and Portuguese guards from taking vengeance on such of the officers and men as had committed the greatest depredati ons on them.

Constitutional oaths taken,

ed amidst the roar of the enemy's cannon, who were then making their last efforts to defend the enclosure of the Retiro; and thus, at the same time, it may be said, were heard the last groans of oppression and the first voice of independence-thus did the suffering patriots see themselves freed from the horrid and black load of disgrace, at the same instant as appeared to their eyes the luminous torch of their future felicity and social security.

"O happy day!" exclaims the Spanish historian of these events-"Oh certain presage of our future felicity! Oh warriors of Albion, of Lusitania, and afflicted Spain, by you we are free! Oh fathers of the country, by you we are happy

The narrator then proceeds to state, that on the 14th, the Retiro surrendered at noon, just at the time when the scaling ladders were preparing for the assault; when the garrison, amounting to 1900 men, marched out prisoners, leaving behind them near 200 pieces of cannon, 20,000 musquets, and a quantity of other effects. At the same time, he adds, must not be omitted the lively wish which the people manifested, again to occupy this new Bastile, where French cruelty had sacrificed so many victims; but still the people were prudent and moderate, and wished to avoid the sad recollection of their disgrace, with the sight of their oppressors.

On this day, in virtue of the Royal decree of the Regency of the Kingdom, the swearing to the constitution of the country took place in all the parishes of the capitol.

The council of Madrid, in the midst of this scene of war and politics, were not unmindful of the softer duties of social life; and wishing to offer the Marquis of Wellington a proof of their gratitude, determined to entertain him with a magnificent ball. "The numerous and enlightened concourse who assisted at it, the decorations of the ball itself, the abundance of the wines, fruits, &c. the order and

urbanity

Address to the Juramentados.

urbanity of all,, and the presence of the General of Europe, offered a picture worthy of admiration, even to those most accustomed to these scenes.".

The Spanish authorities, however, were not content with mere demonstrations of joy but under the guidance of the Marquis took a most important step for the speedy return of the misled Juramentados to their social and military duties, and General Alava republished his proclamation to the Spanish soldiers, under Joseph's colours, which had already been issued from the head quarters of the Anglo-Hispano-Portuguese army, on the 29th of the preceding month; in which he says, "The General and Extraordinary Cortes of the nation, wishing to celebrate the political constitution of the monarch, have decreed a general pardon to all Spanish military men, of whatever rank they may be, and who are in the service of the tyrant upon their abandoning it, and presenting themselves to the Spanish chiefs, with as little delay as possible. Being charged by the supreme government to the Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo, I judge it my duty to make you acquainted with the favourable disposition of our legitimate government, in order that you may take advantage of it, and return into the bosom of your beloved country, and the estimation of your countrymen. The moment is most opportune. The enemy cannot much longer support themselves in the interior of the country, and in retiring from our frontiers your fate is decided; you are going to perish in the war of. the north.

"Your country, brothers, friends, are greatly offended by your infamous desertion; and you will give rise to a new war, unless you except the offers of this proclamation. Hasten then to present yourselves to the Spanish authorities, or the advanced posts of the allied army; and in this manner you will cause your faults to be forgotten, by shewing that your heart was Spanish, although your exterior deport ment gave reason for doubting it.”.

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The