The second period of the War was commenced by the battle of Talavera, previously to which Wellington found the Spanish General Cuesta equally unmanageable, stubborn, and foolishly arrogant, as the Portuguese General showed himself on the eve of the battle of Roriça which commenced the first period of the War. In both cases the results were the same. After a great deal of vapouring about “doing the business themselves and not needing British assistance,” both worthies retired, leaving the sole and undivided honour of each day to the genius and fortune of Wellington. In the preliminary combat of Alcabon, the Spanish division (4,000 infantry, 2,000 horse, and 8 guns) scampered off from before the French, and it was manifest that they could not be depended on. Wellington was therefore determined that they should withdraw to Talavera, where there was strong ground suited for defence, on which alone the Spaniards were likely to make a stand. Cuesta boastingly replied that “he would fight where he stood.” The 27th, at daylight, the British General renewed his solicitations, at first fruitlessly; but when the enemy’s cavalry came in sight, Cuesta sullenly yielded, yet turning to his staff with frantic pride observed that “he had first made the Englishman go down on his knees!” (Napier, _Hist. W. P._ b. viii. c. 2.) In the next preliminary combat of Salinas, the Spanish army to the number of 11,000 men (including artillery) threw down their arms, and ran away, declaring that the Allies were entirely routed! It might have been so but that their example was despised. Thus undivided glory was thrust upon Wellington; and ever after the part which the Spaniards took was very subordinate. After the battle of Talavera, the Spaniards were shamefully defeated (having regard to the truth of History it is impossible to use any other expression) by the French in two successive actions--those of Arzobispo and Almonacid, at both of which they threw down their arms and ran, and in the latter were slaughtered in thousands--a result partly attributable to the bad conduct of the men and partly to the bad guiding of their commander, Cuenca, whose character was a concentration of all the worst possible qualities of a General. “King” Joseph, who had retreated after the battle of Baylen, now returned to Madrid. Embarrassed by these disasters, by the perfidious withholding of supplies, by the perpetual crossing and opposition of the Spanish juntas, which like those of Portugal, instead of an aid, were for ever a thorn in the side of their Liberator, Wellington, in the face of an overwhelming French force, took the resolution of retiring into Portugal. The conduct of the Spaniards may be best estimated from his own words, stating his reasons for declining again to co-operate with them: