of the townspeople; but they would listen to no suggestions but those of the same proud spirit in which they had begun.  The French at length gained possession of the great convent of St. Engracia, and thus established themselves within the town itself:  their general then sent to Palafox this brief summons:  “Headquarters, Santa Engracia—­Capitulation”; but he received for answer:  “Headquarters, Zaragossa—­War to the knife.”  The battle was maintained literally from street to street, from house to house, and from chamber to chamber.  Men and women fought side by side, amidst flames and carnage; until Lefebre received the news of Baylen, and having wasted two months in his enterprise, abandoned it abruptly, lest he should find himself insulated amidst the general retreat of the French armies.  Such was the first of the two famous sieges of Zaragossa.

The English government meanwhile had begun their preparations for interfering effectually in the affairs of the Peninsula.  They had despatched one body of troops to the support of Castanos in Andalusia; but these did not reach the south of Spain until their assistance was rendered unnecessary by the surrender of Dupont at Baylen.  A more considerable force, amounting to 10,000, sailed early in June, from Cork, for Coruna, under the command of the Honourable Sir Arthur Wellesley.  This armament, originally designed to co-operate with another from India in a great attack on Mexico, had its destination altered the moment the Spanish Insurrection was announced.  Sir Arthur, being permitted to land at what point of the Peninsula he should judge most advantageous for the general cause, was soon satisfied that Portugal ought to be the first scene of his operations, and accordingly lost no time in opening a communication with the patriots, who had taken possession of Oporto.  Here the troops which had been designed to aid Castanos joined him.  Thus strengthened, and well informed of the state of the French armies in Spain, Sir Arthur resolved to effect a landing and attack Junot while circumstances seemed to indicate no chance of his being reinforced by Bessieres.

It is, perhaps, an evil unavoidable in the institutions of an old and settled government, that men rarely, very rarely, unless they possess the advantages of illustrious birth and connection, can hope to be placed in situations of the highest importance until they have passed the prime vigour of their days.  Sir Arthur Wellesley, fortunately for England and for Europe, commenced life under circumstances eminently favourable for the early development and recognition of his great talents.  To his brother, the Marquis Wellesley’s rank as Governor-General of India, he owed the opportunity of conducting our armies in the East at a time of life when, if of inferior birth, he could hardly have commanded a battalion; and the magnificent campaign of Assaye so established his reputation, that shortly after his return to Europe he was entrusted without hesitation with the armament assembled at Cork.