[32] Maria Louisa, the eldest daughter of the Emperor of Austria and Maria Theresa of Naples, was born the 12th December, 1791. Her stature was sufficiently majestic, her complexion fresh and blooming, her eyes blue and animated, her hair light, and her hand and foot so beautiful, that they might have served as models for the sculptor. [33] Fouché, tom. i., p. 350. [34] "She had always been given to understand that Berthier, who had married her by proxy at Vienna, in person and age exactly resembled the Emperor: she, however, signified that she observed a very pleasing difference between them."--LAS CASES, tom. i., p. 312. [35] "The most unfortunate presages were drawn from it; Napoleon himself was struck with it."--FOUCHÉ, tom. i., p. 355. [36] Las Cases, tom. i., p. 310. [37] Voice from St. Helena, vol. ii., p. 225. [38] "Austria had become a portion of my family; and yet my marriage ruined me. If I had not thought myself safe, and protected by this alliance, I should have delayed the insurrection of Poland: I should have waited until Spain was subdued and tranquil. I set foot on an abyss, concealed by a bed of flowers!"--NAPOLEON, _Las Cases_, tom. ii., p. 105. CHAPTER LI. _Almost all the foreign French Settlements fall into the hands of the British--French Squadron destroyed at the Isle of Aix, by Lord Cochrane--and at the Isle of Rosas, by Lord Collingwood--Return to the Proceedings in Spain--Soult takes Oporto--Attacked and Defeated by Sir Arthur Wellesley--Ferrol and Corunna retaken by the Patriots--Battle of Talavera, gained by Sir Arthur Wellesley--Created Lord Wellington--The French Armies take many towns and strong Places--Supreme Junta retreat to Cadiz--The Guerilla System--Growing disappointment of Buonaparte--His immense exertions--Battle of Busaco--Lord Wellington's famous Retreat on Torres Vedras._ Notwithstanding the credit which Napoleon had acquired, by dictating to the House of Austria the triumphant treaty of Schoenbrun, and also by allying himself with that ancient Imperial House, which had, on different occasions, showed towards him the signs of persevering enmity, this period of his history did not pass without his experiencing several reverses of fortune. The few foreign settlements which hitherto remained united to France, were now successively taken by the British. Cayenne, Martinico, Senegal, and Saint Domingo, were conquered and occupied in the West Indies; while Lord Collingwood, with troops furnished from Sicily, occupied the islands of Cephalonia, Zante, Ithaca, and Cerigo.