formed by the late
war, for such were their vanity and ignorance that they would
learn nothing from the English.

[17] All this reasoning appears to me exceedingly false, and
I do not understand a Government being compelled to
adopt measures adverse to her inclinations and
injurious to her interests by circumstances which she
could not control. A wise and vigorous statesman would
break through such a web as that in which the French
politics are entangled, and I cannot comprehend how the
honour of a nation is to be supported by an obstinate
adherence to measures which she had been led
incautiously to adopt, and which were afterwards found
to militate with her true interests. If the councils of
France were directed by a Minister of a vigorous and
independent character--if such a Minister were to come
forward and state frankly to Spain, and announce to all
Europe, that he would not invade the liberty and the
rights of Spain, and instantly put a stop to all
hostile preparations, finding arguments for an act of
magnanimity, moderation, and justice, which are never
wanting when some deed of lawless ambition and violent
aggression is to be perpetrated, would not such a man
acquire a more solid reputation than he who sacrifices
to some punctilio the interests of his own country and
the happiness and repose of millions, how great soever
might be the success with which his efforts should be
crowned?--[C.C.G.]

[18] These notes were addressed by the respective Courts to
their own Ministers at Madrid. The Spanish Minister for
Foreign Affairs need not have taken any notice of them
whatever according to the forms of diplomatic
communication.--[C.C.G.]

Upon one occasion only the Spaniards gained a victory, the day on
which St. Sebastian was stormed. Soult attacked a Spanish corps
commanded by General Freyre. When the Duke was informed of the
attack he hastened to the scene of action and placed two British
divisions in reserve, to support the Spaniards, but did not allow
them to come into action. He found the Spaniards running away as
fast as they could. He asked them where they were going. They
said they were taking off the wounded. He immedi