Translated by英语方世玉
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*本篇原创译文基于笔者对于节选篇章原书第一章节以及相关大量历史资料查证后翻译成文。
Between 1807 and 1814 the Iberian Peninsula (comprising Spain and Portugal) ?was the scene of a titanic and merciless struggle. It took place on many different planes: Between Napoleon’s French army and the angry inhabitants; Between the British, ever keen to exacerbate the emperor’s difficulties, and the marshals sent from Paris to try to keep them in check; Between new forces of science and meritocracy and old ones of conservatism and birth.（46）It was also, and this is unknown even to many people well read about the period, a battle Between those who made codes and those who broke them.
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47）It listed many documents in code that had been captured from the French army of Spain, and whose secrets had been revealed by the work of one George Scovell, an officer in British headquarters.
48）he could not analyze carefully what this obscure officer may or may not have contributed to that great struggle Between nations or indeed tell us anything much about the man himself.
（49）There may have been many spies and intelligence officers during the Napoleonic Wars, but it is usually extremely difficult to find the material they actually provided or worked on.
（50）Just as the code breaking has its wider relevance in the struggle for Spain, so his attempts to make his way up the promotion ladder speak volumes about British society.