Partidas was the generic name of the partisan bands, who maintained the indomitable Guerrilla warfare against the French, and of whom there were not less than 50,000 at one period in Spain. A favourite weapon of these legitimate successors of the Almugavars, or ancient mountaineer troops of Spain, was the trabuco, or blunderbuss. The two most famous Partida chiefs were those whose names are recorded in the text. The Mina alluded to is Espoz y Mina, the Scanderbeg of Spain, uncle to the Student of the same name.
XXX. “But Nations ne’er yet died when Tyrants pleased!”
The strongest proof of the inherent vitality of a Nation is that Spain survived the villanies of Godoy.
XXXIII. “Reptile, dost Him defy?”
Wer empfinden
Und sich unterwinden
Zu sagen: ich glaub’ ihn nicht?
Der Allumfasser!
Der Allerhalter!
Goethe, Faust.