No one can read this account of the struggle in Europe _in favor of popular rights_ against the old dynasties of _feudal oppression_, without more highly appreciating the admirable institutions of our own glorious Republic. Neither can any intelligent and candid man carefully peruse this narrative, and not admit that Joseph Bonaparte was earnestly seeking the welfare of the _people_; that, surrounded by dynasties strong in standing armies, in pride of nobility, and which were venerable through a life of centuries, he was endeavoring to promote, under monarchical forms, which the posture of affairs seemed to render necessary, the abolition of _aristocratic usurpation_, and the establishment of _equal rights for all men_. Believing this, the writer sympathizes with him in all his struggles, and reveres his memory. The universal brotherhood of man, the fundamental principles of Christianity, should also be the fundamental principles in the State. Having spared no pains to be accurate, the writer will be grateful to any critic who will point out any incorrectness of statement or false coloring of facts, that he may make the correction in subsequent editions. This volume will soon be followed by another, "The History of Queen Hortense," the daughter of Josephine, the wife of King Louis, the mother of Napoleon III. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. FAIR HAVEN, CONN., May, 1869. CONTENTS Chapter Page I. SCENES IN EARLY LIFE 13 II. DIPLOMATIC LABORS 36 III. JOSEPH THE PEACE-MAKER 67 IV. JOSEPH KING OF NAPLES 93 V. THE CROWN A BURDEN 135 VI. THE SPANISH PRINCES 166 VII. JOSEPH KING OF SPAIN 199 VIII. THE SPANISH CAMPAIGN OF NAPOLEON 229 IX. THE WAR IN SPAIN CONTINUED 264 X. THE EXPULSION FROM SPAIN 291 XI. LIFE IN EXILE 319 XII. LAST DAYS AND DEATH 365 ENGRAVINGS. Page JOSEPH AND NAPOLEON--TOUR IN CORSICA 28 JOSEPH GIVING HIS CLOAK TO HIS BROTHER LOUIS 41 CORNWALLIS AND JOSEPH 88 JOSEPH AT MALMAISON 98 JOSEPH ON HIS NEAPOLITAN TOUR 155 QUEEN JULIE LEAVING NAPLES 187 JOSEPH RECEIVING THE ADDRESSES OF THE SPANISH SENATE 198 JOSEPH ENTERING MALAGA 261 SACK OF CIUDAD RODRIGO 286