CHAPTER I.

REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_).

PAGE

Napoleon's Desire for an Heir--The Archduchess Maria Louisa--The Divorce determined upon--The Marriage--Napoleon quarrels with his Family--Abdication of Louis Buonaparte--Napoleon's bloated Empire--Affairs of Sweden--Choice of Bernadotte as King--He forms an Alliance with Russia and Britain--His Breach with Napoleon--Insanity of George III.--Preparations for a Regency--Restrictions on the Power of the Regent--Futile Negotiations of the Prince of Wales with Grey and Grenville--Perceval continued in Power--The King's Speech--Reinstatement of the Duke of York--The Currency Question--Its Effect on the Continent--Wellington's Difficulties--Massena's Retreat--His Defeat at Sabugal--Surrender of Badajoz to the French--Battle of Barrosa--Wellington and Massena--Battles of Fuentes d'Onoro and Albuera--Soult's Retreat--End of the Campaign--Our Naval Supremacy continues--Birth of an Heir to Napoleon--Elements of Resistance to his Despotism--Session of 1812--Discussions on the Civil List--Bankes's Bill--Assassination of Perceval--Renewed Overtures to Grey and Grenville--Riots in the Manufacturing Districts--Wellington's Preparations--Capture of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz--Wellington and Marmont--Battle of Salamanca--Wellington enters Madrid--Victor's Retreat--Incapacity of the Spaniards--The Sicilian Expedition--Wellington's Retreat--Its Difficulties--Wellington's Defence of his Tactics--A Pause in the War 1