Page:Life of the Duke of Wellington.pdf/13

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DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
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them as far as the Spanish frontiers, after they had been exposed to one unbroken series of disaster and defeat.

Similar conflicts, with the like successful results, took place at Barrossa, Albuera, Almeida, Salamanca, and Vittoria, and Lord Wellington again received the thanks of Parliament, for the able services rendered to his country. He was created a Marquis of the United Kingdom, to which was added the grant of £100,000 to purchase lands, and enable him to support the dignity of the Peerage. The Prince of Brazil conferred on him the additional title of Duke of Vittoria. After the battle of Toulouse, he proceeded to Paris, which he reached on the 4th of May, 1814, and was received with due respect by the sovereigns, statesmen, and generals, at the court of Louis XVIII.; everywhere high honours awaited him, and he had already received the insignia of every distinguished order in Europe. On the 10th of May he quitted Paris, and after paying a four days' visit to Toulouse, repaired to Madrid, where Ferdinand confirmed the honours paid to him by the Cortes, and appointed him Captain-General of Spain. On the 5th of June, he left Madrid, went to Bourdeaux, reviewed the troops, and made preparation for their embarkation. On the 23rd of June, he landed at Dover, under a salute from the batteries, and forth with proeeeded to London; he was recognized as his carriage drove up Parliament Street, and was greeted with shouts and applause. After a short interview with his family, he hastened to Portsmouth, where the Prince Regent gave him a worthy reception: his distinctions honoured him in the face of Europe, for the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia were then at the English court. On the 28th of June, he first took his seat in the House of Lords. A great number of the Peers were present. On this memorable occasion he appeared in a field-marshal's uniform, with the in-