Summary survey of Europe--Aristocracy of France--France previous to the Revolution--Revolutionary Symptoms--The Great Powers, 1792-6--William Pitt--Execution of Louis XVI.--The Allies against France--Siege of Toulon--Invasion of Holland--Napoleon--His early youth--Thirteenth Vendemiaire--The Campaign in Italy--Rapid victories of Bonaparte--Expedition to Egypt--Return of Bonaparte--First Consulate--The passage of the Alps--Second Campaign in Italy --Napoleon Emperor--War with England--Alliance between the Great Powers, 1805--Indecision of Prussia--Alexander visits the tomb of Frederick the Great--Battle of Austerlitz--Treaty of Tilsit --Secret understanding respecting Turkey--British orders in Council--Battle of Wagram--Annexation of Finland--Campaign of Moscow--The Grand Alliance, 1813--Battle of Leipsic--Allies enter Paris, 1 CHAPTER II. Origin of the War in the Peninsula--Siege of Saragossa--Murderous Character of the War--Success of the French in Portugal--Battle of Rolica--Battle of Vimiero--Convention of Cintra--The French evacuate Portugal--Preparations of Napoleon for another Campaign --He subdues the Country, and enters Madrid--Address to the Spanish People--Napoleon recalled by the War with Austria--Soult and Ney intrusted with the Command of the French Army in Spain--Retreat of Sir John Moore--Battle of Corunna--Death of Sir John Moore --The British Army sail for England, 50 CHAPTER III. Joseph Bonaparte again King of Spain--His Difficulties with Soult --Second Siege of Saragossa--Another English Army, under Sir Arthur Wellesley, lands at Lisbon--Battle of Talavera--The English retire into Portugal--Siege of Gerona--Principal Events of the Campaign of 1810--The English Troops make a Stand at Torres Vedras--Retreat of Massena--Siege of Cadiz--Escape of French Prisoners--Opening of the Campaign of 1811, 99 CHAPTER IV. The Author, with his Regiment, leaves Gibraltar, for Tarifa --Dissensions between the Spanish and English Officers--Battle of Barossa--Retreat of the French--Suffering of the Pursuing Army --Guerillas--Don Julian Sanchez--Juan Martin Diaz--Xavier Mina --Continued Privations of the British Army--Adventures of the Author in Search of Food--Arrival of the Commissariat with Provisions--Extravagant Joy of the Troops--Departure of the British Army for Badajos, 123 CHAPTER V. Badajos--Its Capture by the French--Attempts to retake it by the English--Wellington invests it in Person--Assault upon Fort Christoval--Storming of the Town--Terrific Conflict--The place sacked by the Victors--Disgraceful Drunkenness and Debauchery of the Troops--The Main Body of the Army depart for Beira, 160 CHAPTER VI.