He, moreover, was willing to flatter himself that the lower population of Spain alone took an active part in these transactions; that the nobility, whose degradation he could hardly over-estimate, would abide by his voice; in a word, that with 80,000 troops in Spain, besides Junot's army in Portugal, he possessed the means of suppressing the tumult after the first effervescence should have escaped.

He proceeded, therefore, to act precisely as if no insurrection had occurred.

Tranquillity being re-established in Madrid, the Council of Castile were convoked, and commanded to elect a new sovereign: their choice had of course been settled beforehand: it fell on Joseph Buonaparte, King of Naples; and ere it was announced, that personage was already on his way to Bayonne.

Ninety-five _Notables_ of Spain met him in that town; and swore fealty to him and a new Constitution, the manufacture of course of Napoleon.

Joseph, on entering Spain, was met by unequivocal symptoms of scorn and hatred:--nay, one great battle had already been fought between the French and the patriots:--but, the main road being strongly occupied throughout with his brother's troops, he reached Madrid in safety.
Lucien Buonaparte, it is understood, received the first offer of this crown; but he did not envy the condition of his brother's royal vassals, and declined the dangerous honour.