The National Register. — London, England, 1811-01-13 00:00:00

TIIE NATIONAL, REGISTER. , Our !ling, eroniltitution,mb 11-aluO. r• • . N. i5O. SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, ism P0L1T16.41, DISQUISITION. - • . . 1., No. 151. RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. We followed the year, in one of our last num- Lers, in its eventful course over the greatest part of the European Continent c we shall now pursue its steps over the Spanish Peninsula and the Euro pean dominions of Great Britain. Whilst Austria formed an alliance with her conqueror ; Holland became a province of his vast empire ; Denmark crouched servilely at his feet ; Sweden called one of his Generals to her throne ; and Russia, in the midst of so many changes, and surrounded by so many rising enemies, slumbered inactive ; the Spanish Peninsula teemed with war and heroism. There, Freedom, like a new Hydra, portentous only to tyrants, reared a hundred heads, frequently bruised to the ground, but upstarting anew full of life and energy, as soon as the in vader's foot had passed on. Portugal displayed a different and still more encouraging prospect. There, posted on her zone of hills, formidable by their courage, their discipline, and military enthu siiasm, rather than by their numbers, the British iegions spread like a shield which no hostile lance could pieice. Wielded, as well as opposed by the most skilful Commanders of the age, they retained their attitude of defiance, unmoved either by the scoffs or the threats of the enemy, until finding it impossible to deceive the wisdom and experience of their Chief, or to attack them with any hope of success, he attempted to turn their flanks and pass into their rear. Induced, not by alarm, but pru dence, to counteract this movement, without en countering in the plains the superior numbers of the French, Lord WELLINGTON slowly retreated, conti nually checking the advance of the enemy, until perceiving that he intended to fall suddenly on ;Coimbt:a, and seize the large magazines which it contained, his Lordship, with unexampled rapidity, ;crossed the Moiidego, and occupied the steep and `almost inaccessible Sierro de Buzaco, thus placing his might between the foe and his expected prey. several desperate attacks were made on our army, both to endeavour to break through its line . and occupy its whole attention, whilst its left was turno,•And the rich prize seized by the enemy. Va. /V. No. (ILL 4 .4; 1: 4 4: /- PRICE 9lt_ Even at the hour of triumph Lord WELLINGTON* liStened to the voice of prudence, so often drowned by the shouts of victory. His bold interposition had given time for the removal of our magazines, he fell back, and gradually retired to his fortified ' pbsitions in frbnt of Lisbon, attracting the eneiny beyond the reach of his supplies, and enabling the Portuguese . Militia to annoy his rear, and intercept' his communications with the French army in Spain. Secure behind these entrenchments, lined with our warriors, the inhabitants of Lisbon, and the flying population of the invaded Provinces, collected beneath its ramparts, beheld MASSENTA hover at a distance, disappointed and indignant at the superior skill which baffled his plans: They saw him after: fruitless attempts to decide the fate of the war by' a single battle fought at a distance from our en.' trenchments,, fall back in his 'turn, and seek for protection against our attacks, behind works which he erected at Santarem. There, though followed by our army, and strengthed by . the arrival of rein forcements through new and difficult roads, he still remains unable to carry on offensive operations, and . ashamed of obeying the calls of necessity and re-, treating into Spain. Whilst the valour of our troops, and the skill of Lord WELLINGTON, foiled the veterans of France in Portugal, the pride of their eagles was humbled on the shores of . Sicily. The Expedition, assembled by MURAT, in Calabria, to carry the banners of the Usurper over the Sicilian fields, vanished like a cloud, which, after having lowered awhile on the horizon, and emitted flashes portentous of a storm, is suddenly rent and swept away by a mighty wind. His boasted host of gun-boats, after re peated defeats, learnt, at last, the art of evading a foe whom they could never resist. Protected by the darkness of the night, and propelled,by the vio lence of the gale which drove our vessels away, the* . started from the shelter of their batteries, and land. ed in the neighbourhood of Messina part of the invading army. The morning dawned : the British standard floated to their view; and the heroes Pied, leaving upwards of a thousand prisoners in our hands. MURA.T boasted that hii troops had, at least, touched 'the shore; renounced his vain enterprize, anct:t4e world laughed. Britain -exulted in her might ; but tidings of affliction soon checked herjOyi &Wee tnid the fiftieth year of a ' I , _. , ' mrsika.. IMS mikussielll MI