Concert of Europe after 1815--Spirit of the Foreign Policy of Alexander, of Metternich, and of the English Ministry--Metternich's action in Italy, England's in Sicily and Spain--The Reaction in France--Richelieu and the New Chamber--Execution of Ney--Imprisonments and persecutions--Conduct of the Ultra-Royalists in Parliament--Contests on the Electoral Bill and the Budget--The Chamber prorogued--Affair of Grenoble--Dissolution of the Chamber--Electoral Law and Financial Settlement of 1817--Character of the first years of peace in Europe generally--Promise of a Constitution in Prussia--Hardenberg opposed by the partisans of autocracy and privilege--Schmalz' Pamphlet--Delay of Constitutional Reform in Germany at large--The Wartburg Festival--Progress of Reaction--The Czar now inclines to repression--Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle--Evacuation of France--Growing influence of Metternich in Europe--His action on Prussia--Murder of Kotzebue--The Carlsbad Conference and measures of repression in Germany--Richelieu and Decazes--Murder of the Duke of Berry--Progress of the reaction in France--General causes of the victory of reaction in Europe CHAPTER XIV. THE MEDITERRANEAN MOVEMENTS OF 1820. Movements in the Mediterranean States beginning in 1820--Spain from 1814 to 1820--The South American Colonies--The Army at Cadiz: Action of Quiroga and Riego--Movement at Corunna--Ferdinand accepts the Constitution of 1812--Naples from 1815 to 1820--The Court-party, the Muratists, the Carbonari--The Spanish Constitution proclaimed at Naples--Constitutional movement in Portugal--Alexander's proposal with regard to Spain--The Conference and Declaration of Troppau--Protest of England--Conference of Laibach--The Austrians invade Naples and restore absolute Monarchy--Insurrection in Piedmont, which fails--Spain from 1820 to 1822--Death of Castlereagh--The Congress of Verona--Policy of England--The French invade Spain--Restoration of absolute Monarchy, and violence of the reaction--England prohibits the conquest of the Spanish Colonies by France, and subsequently recognises their independence-- Affairs in Portugal--Canning sends troops to Lisbon--The Policy of Canning--Estimate of his place in the history of Europe CHAPTER XV. GREECE AND EASTERN AFFAIRS.