Hungarians
Crushed.—­Lenity of Joseph.—­Death of Joseph.—­Accession of Charles
VI.—­His Career in Spain.—­Capture of Barcelona.—­The Siege.—­The
Rescue.—­Character of Charles.—­Cloisters of Montserrat.—­Increased
Efforts for the Spanish Crown.—­Charles Crowned Emperor of Austria and
Hungary.—­Bohemia.—­Deplorable Condition of Louis XIV.

Generals Stanhope and Staremberg, who managed the affairs of Charles, with but little respect for his judgment, and none for his administrative qualities, were in great perplexity respecting the course to be pursued.  Some recommended the transference of the court from Madrid to Saragossa, where they would be nearer to their supplies.  Others urged removal to Barcelona, where they would be under the protection of the British fleet.  It was necessary to watch over Charles with the utmost care, as he was in constant danger of assassination.  While in this state of uncertainty, tidings reached Madrid that the Duke of Noailles was on the march, with fifteen thousand men, to cut off the retreat of the Austrians, and at the same time Philip was advancing with a powerful army from Valladolid.  This intelligence rendered instant action necessary.  The Austrian party precipitately evacuated Madrid, followed by the execrations of the people.  As soon as the last battalions had left the city, the ringing of bells, the firing of artillery, and the shouts of the people, announced the popular exultation in view of the departure of Charles, and the cordial greeting they were giving to his rival Philip.  The complications of politics are very curious.  The British government was here, through years of war and blood, endeavoring to drive from his throne the acknowledged King of Spain.  In less than a hundred years we find this same government again deluging Europe in blood, to reseat upon the throne the miserable Ferdinand, the lineal descendant of this Bourbon prince.

Charles put spurs to his horse, and accompanied by a glittering cavalcade of two thousand cavaliers, galloped over the mountains to Barcelona.  His army, under the leadership of his efficient English general, followed rapidly but cautiously on, hoping to press through the defiles of the mountains which separated them from Arragon before their passage could be obstructed by the foe.  The troops were chagrined and dispirited; the generals in that state of ill humor which want of success generally engenders.  The roads were bad, provisions scarce, the inhabitants of the country bitterly hostile.  It was the middle of November, and cold blasts swept through the mountains.  Staremberg led the van, and Stanhope, with four thousand English troops, occupied the post of peril in a retreat, the rear.  As the people of the country would furnish them with no supplies, the pillage of towns and villages became a necessity; but it none the less added to the exasperation of the Spaniards.