The National Register.
London, England, 1809-01-15 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

41

and concealed apprehension. The regularity, with which
they are transmitted to tuis country, confirms our suspi-
cions; and We see every reason to conclude, that the spirit
of the Span** is es unbroken as it was in the first ino-
meat of resistance. The inhabitants of Leon. Asturias,
Gallicia, and- Castille, as soon as the severity of the wea-
ther has abated, which is intense in those Provinces, during .
the course of the winter, will resume their offensive opera-
tions against their invaders. It could not be expected that
the poor naked peasants should display that sublime energy •
as tO brave all the rigours of the season, in their dreary •
mountains and fastnesses, without tents, shoes, hats, and
the most indispensable articles of clothing.
The writers of several papers, who, for the miserable
purposes of factiont or to gratify their abhorrence of every
their, that is great and good, condemn the lulcevrarmness
of those poor people, should have at least the impertiality
to remind their readers of the sublime examplea of devotion
to the cause of their country these peasants gave at the
battle of Rio Seco, ani in several other engage,
cents under General MAKS. hunger, excessive cold, and
want of clothing, drove them at last to their homes ; from
whence they will issue with renewed energy, as soon es the
mild influence of the sun renders fire and warm clothing
unnecessary. It is easy for those ignorant brutal declaimers-
enjoying the comforts of an English fire side, to rant about
patriotism, privations, &C. and to treat the poor Asturian
and Gallician mountaineers with contempt, because they
are not capable, en masse, of displaying a degree of per-
severance and energy, almost beyond the reach of human
nature. The extreme poverty of the country, would ex-
pose them'at the same time to the danger of starvation.
;lad they persevered in the romuantie design of guarding
their passes against the invaders.
The inhabitants of the South are not exposed to these
inconveniences. Their mild climate and fruitful soil enable
them to sustain the rigour of a winter campaign. The
'pring commences there about the middle of this month 4
and thus the tyrant's plah is frustrated of terminating the.
business during the winter. An armed peasantry are na-
turally obliged to retire to their homes during the incle-
mency of that season ; but if their spirit be the same., as
we have no reason to doubt it, and it continues so during
the Spring and Summer, BONAPARTE, s
willob the
number of soldiers he has at his disposal, he able to
make no impression on the country. The desultory and
irregular mode of war the Spaniards will probably wage
fur the future, will, by degrees, consume hiS forces. ‘Vhen
he least expects it. new armies will appear in his rear, oft
his flanks and in front. His detachments will be cut off;
he will be straitened for provisions ; he will be harassed
incessantly on every side. During the spring and summer
eights, a constant alarm will be kept up in the quarters of
his several corps ; and, according to human probability.
Austria, as well as other states, will give him some occupa-
tion about that time.
Would it then be politic, or honourable in oar Govern-
ment, under these circumstances, to relax in its exertions,
or despond of success ? Are are unwilling to entertain that
paltry opinion of the understandings and hearts of British
Ministers. With a particle, even, of vulgar' ambition;
with a desire to have their names *recorded heyOnd the
precincts of the church-yard, in which oil .shall be One
day entered; with the Slightest wish to promote the fame
and preponderance of their cosuntryl. they will persevere

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JAN. 1.5