have been followed by blessed results—his laurels are pure and unstained.
With the confidence of a great mind, he took upon himself the charge and heavy responsibility of defending Portugal, looking forward without dismay to the issue of the contest. He had the satisfaction to find that his suggestions were adopted, and that he enjoyed the good-will and respect of all classes.
In March, the French under Junot advanced upon Astorga with 12,000 men; they were at first repulsed with the loss of 2,500 troops, but the garrison afterwards capitulated. Junot then marched upon old Castile, and joined the corps which had already commenced operations against the frontier of Portugal. In expectation of a siege, Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida were put in a state of defence, a British Colonel, with 5,000 Portuguese, being appointed governor of the latter. In May, three corps d'armée, called the army of Portugal, had been put under Massena, who had acquired the title of the "Child of victory;" and it was expected by Napoleon that his military talents would succeed in subduing the country, and placing it finally under the French yoke. It was said that the crown had been promised him in the event of success. He was followed by 70,000 of the best warriors of France. But among the hills lay the British army, strong in valour and determination, and presided over by the bold and sagacious Wellington. “The British lion was indeed in the Massena, in the full expectation that the British would fly before him, ordered his soldiers to carry food with them for 17 days, confidently hoping that by that time Lisbon would be in his possession. When he saw Wellington's army posted on the Sierra de Busaco, and meaning resistance, he said to one of the generals, "I cannot persuade myself that Lord Wellington will risk the loss of his reputation; but if he does, I have him; to-morrow we shall complete
