The disorders of Spain, which commenced about the close of the year 1807, in a short time assumed a most complicated aspect.  Though far from the theatre of events I obtained an intimate knowledge of all the important facts connected with the extraordinary transactions in the Peninsula.  However, as this point of history is one of the most generally, though I cannot say the best, known, I shall omit in my notes and memoranda many things which would be but repetitions to the reading portion of the public.  It is a remarkable fact that Bonaparte, who by turns cast his eyes on all the States of Europe, never directed his attention to Spain as long as his greatness was confined to mere projects.  Whenever he spoke of his future destiny he alluded to Italy, Germany, the East, and the destruction of the English power; but never to Spain.  Consequently, when he heard of the first symptoms of disorder in the Peninsula he paid but little attention to the business, and some time elapsed before he took any part in events which subsequently had so great an influence on his fate.

Godoy reigned in Spain under the name of the imbecile Charles iv.  He was an object of execration to all who were not his creatures; and even those whose fate depended upon him viewed him with the most profound contempt.  The hatred of a people is almost always the just reward of favourites.  What sentiments, therefore, must have been inspired by a man who, to the knowledge of all Spain, owed the favour of the king only to the favours of the queen!

   —­[Manuel Godoy, originally a private in the guards, became the
   paramour of Charles iv.’s Queen; then a grandee; and then the
   supreme ruler of the State.—­Editor of 1836 edition.]—­

Godoy’s ascendancy over the royal family was boundless; his power was absolute:  the treasures, of America were at his command, and he made the most infamous use of them.  In short, he had made the Court of Madrid one of those places to which the indignant muse of Juvenal conducts the mother of Britanicus.  There is no doubt that Godoy was one of the principal causes of all the misfortunes which have overwhelmed Spain under so many various forms.

The hatred of the Spaniards against the Prince of the Peace was general.  This hatred was shared by the Prince the Asturias,—­[Afterwards Ferdinand vii.]—­who openly declared himself the enemy of Godoy.  The latter allied himself with France, from which he hoped to obtain powerful protection against his enemies.  This alliance gave rise to great dissatisfaction in Spain, and caused France to be regarded with an unfavourable eye.  The Prince of the Asturias was encouraged and supported by the complaints of the Spaniards, who wished to see the overthrow of Godoy’s power.  Charles iv., on his part, regarded all opposition to the Prince of the Peace as directed against himself, and in November 1807 he accused his son of wishing to dethrone him.