CHAPTER IV

The Decline and Fall of Napoleon's Empire

The Causes of the Rise and Decline of Napoleon's Power--Aims and Intrigues in Portugal and Spain--Spain's Brilliant Victory and King Joseph's Flight--The Heroic Defence of Saragossa--Wellington's Career in Portugal and Spain--The Invasion of Russia by the Grand Army--Smolensk Captured and in Flames--The Battle of Borodino--The Grand Army in the Old Russian Capital--The Burning of the Great City of Moscow--The Grand Army Begins its Retreat--The Dreadful Crossing of the Beresina--Europe in Arms Against Napoleon--The Battle of Dresden, Napoleon's Last Great Victory--The Fatal Meeting of the Armies at Leipzig--The Break-up of Napoleon's Empire--The War in France and the Abdication of the Emperor--Napoleon Returns From Elba--The Terrible Defeat at Waterloo--Napoleon Meets His Fate 83