New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-27

last ten days. He stayed at Benavente for two
nights, occupying himself with desk work Of all
kinds and abandoning the pursuit Of the British
TO Bessieres and Soult- The great coup had
failed; instead OF capturing the eXpeditionary
force he could but harass il on its way to the
sea. Such a task was beneath his own dignity;
il would compromise the imperial reputation for
infallblItT i q campaign that had opened with
blows like ESpinosa, Tudela, and the capture
Of Madrid ended IN ! long and effectual stern
chase. II 5ondpaTte had continued the hunt
time to see Moore embark and depart, he would
have t--t that his prestige had been lowered.
He taeltT confessed as much himself long years
after, Anen, IN one OF his lucubratIons II 81.
Helena, be remarked that he would have con-
duct-a the pursuit in person, if he had but
known tl4J contrary winds had prevented the
feet OF British transports from reaching CO.
runna. But of This he was unaware II the time.
and since he calculated that Moore could oe
harrasSed perhaps. but not destroyed or capt
ured, b. resolved to halt and turn back. SouGr
should have the duty II escortng the British
to The sea- they We're 10 be pressed vigorously.
and With luck, the Emperor trusted that half
OF them might never see England again. But
no complete success could be expected, and he
dld not wish 10 appear personally in any enter
Prise liat was but partially successful.
What Napoleon confessed" according to this
fragment, provides fragile enough basis for
Mr.. Oman's cocksure assertion. II is odd too
that Il has not occurred to him that the job
Of pursuing Moore was one which Napoleon
might merely have considered within the capaci-
~ Of lesser soldier than himself. Is il pos
slble that Mr.. Oman has rejected this hypothesis
simply because il is not hattering TO his ma
uonSl pride? Bet he is generally as impartial
as ne IS Workmanlike. and We have nothing but
praise for the broad outlines OF his scheme
ID ms first section he gives an excellently clear
account OF conditions in Spain, and especially
at the court, at the time when Napoleon was
beginning his entertainments upon the Bour-
he r,aviv7 IL
few but effective touches the doddering old
King, Charles "; his vulgar and INSCRIPTIONS
sTouse and their pusillanimcIs son, Ferdinand
He pays, Of course, much attention TO Godoy
and not only sketches the personality of the
Prince of the Peace with a skilful hand, but
exposes with penetrating judgment his share
ID he squalid situation at Madrid, OF which
Napoleon took such questionable advantage.
The chapters summarizing Spanish affairs from
the Treaty Of FonJainebleau to the disastrous
elimination Of Murat's administration at Mad
nd n the outbreak OF the Second of May are
followed by four in which the geography of the
peninsula and the character Of the French and
Spanish armies are LUMINOSITY surveyed. The
succeeding chapters, which embrace important
episodes Ike the siege Of Saragossa; Dupont's
III fated campaign, with the capitulation OF
Bay-en; Nimiero and the Convention of Cintra,
TIcela and Corunna, are profoundly interesting
not only II their exposition Of these and other
highly significant events, but in their incidental
ellc-cation Of the general drift Of affairs in
Spain down 70 the close Of Moore's campaign
LII. Oman may not be eloquent, but at all
events be is systematic and gives US full and
instructive narrative, one obviously based on
really intimate knowledge OF the subject, and
We await with interest the completion of his
task There are voluminOus appendices, in
Guiding some very opposite documents, and the
maps are al that could be desired, which is
mere than can say of the portraits. Though
Vel printed, The book is caTeessly bound, one
Of The maps having been badly cut in the trim
ming VI The margins