From Mr. Howe.

"Hanover, Dec. 26. N. s. - The morning after my arrival I had an audience of the elector, and when I had made the queen's compliments to him, I came upon the business of England, which he entered into with me, in the openest and fairest manner that could be expected. He bid me assure the queen, that he should never think of any other interest in England but hers, and that whatever interest he had there, he thought very secure in her majesty's; nor would he hearken to, or give any encouragement to the projects of those who have only their own private views. His electoral highness told me, that as to Scott, he was wholly 'gnorant of his behaviour in England, and that as soon as he was acquainted with it, which was indeed by Scott's own letters, he sent for him away, and ordered M. Schutz to let him know how much he was displeased at his proceedings. M. de Bernsdorf has assured me since, that the elector had once resolved to turn him out of his service, but that he thought the fellow would then go into England, and still carry on his intrigues, which might have occasioned a jealousy that his electoral highness had done it with that design.

"I have seen Scott at court, who has been to see me at my house, and I think I have not seen a greater alteration in any body's countenance; for, from that height of insolence he used to carry himself, he looks quite dashed, like a guilty knave that is discovered in all his vice. I hope this has set the elector himself very right in every thing, and that it will make him put a stop to the proceedings of the electress."

CHAP. LX. CHANGE OF CAMP.-1707.

IN the camp of Meldert Marlborough had been detained six weeks, by the caution of the Dutch deputies, who opposed his design of marching on Genappe, which must have forced the enemy to risk a battle, or retire from their strong position at Gemblours. At length, on the intelligence that Vendome had detached thirteen battalions and twelve squadrons to Provence, he obtained their consent to the projected movement. The heavy baggage was sent to the rear; the troops at Brussels were ordered to Waterloo, to cover the march; and those at Louvain, to the abbey of Florival, where four bridges had been thrown across the Dyle. On the 10th, in the afternoon, the passage of the river was effected, the duke of Wirtemberg being detached with fourteen squadrons towards Pieterbois, to observe the enemy,

and afterwards to form the rear guard. The troops reached the heights of Wavre on the dawn of the 11th. Having made a short halt, they again proceeded, and, after a forced march of seven leagues, encamped with their right at Promelle, and their left on the Dyle, the head-quarters being established at Genappe. During this movement two letters

occur.

To Secretary Harley.

"Genappe, Aug. 11. Yesterday I decamped from Meldert. At nine I gave orders for some heavy baggage to march towards Brussels, and the artillery to pass the Dyle at St. Joris- Wert. At three the army struck their tents, and began their march at four towards Florival, where we likewise passed the Dyle, and continued our march all night to this camp, from whence we might, with less disadvantage, have attacked the enemy in their camp at Gemblours, had they continued there. But, having notice about eight at night of our march, they immediately gave orders for decamping, and marched about midnight towards Gosseliers, and are supposed to have taken the camp at Pieton.

"You will receive a large volume from Mr. Robinson of my negoti ation with the Swedish ministers, who consent that her majesty and the States should procure the consent of the several princes pretending to the territory of Hadelen, that the emperor transfer the sequestration to the king of Sweden, which may bring these princes to demand an equivalent, as in the affair of Eutin; but the article about the Protestant religion in Silesia will admit greater difficulties. There is little appearance of bringing the Swedes to any reasonable terms."

To Lord Godolphin.*

*

"Genappe, Aug. 4–15.I had writ thus far in our old camp. The march I made last night and this day has had the effect I always assured the deputies it would have. As soon as the duke of Vendome had the assurance of my being marched, he immediately gave orders for decamping, and accordingly began to march at twelve o'clock last night, knowing very well, that if he had stayed till I had been in this camp, he could not have marched without an action. I hope this will convince our friends in Holland, as it has done our deputies, that if they had consented to my making this march six weeks ago, as I pressed to do, the French would have then made, as they now have, a shameful march, by which both armies see very plainly that they will not venture to fight. We have nothing since my last from Provence; and I am so very sleepy, not having shut my eyes last night, that I shall give you no farther trouble."

On the retreat of the enemy, Marlborough moved directly to Nivelle, where he arrived on the same evening; and learning that Vendome was advancing to Seneff, he prepared

The former part of this letter is printed in the preceding chapter.

with alacrity for an engagement the ensuing day. Count Tilly was detached at the head of forty squadrons and 5000 grenadiers, with orders to post himself between the two camps, and harass their rear guard, in case they should attempt to march before the main army could arrive. But the French commanders were not anxious to risk the event of a battle. The approach of the confederates to Nivelle became again the signal for retreat, and they effected their purpose with such rapidity, that they gained the inclosures. which skirt the plain of Mariemont, without any effectual obstruction from the allied detachment. They then continued their progress to the position of St. Denis, behind the rivulet which falls into the Haine, in the vicinity of Mons.

Uncertain of their design, Marlborough detached parties to watch their movements, and an aide-de-camp of Overkirk ascending the height of Great Roeux, descried them in full march towards the Haine. Calculating that they intended to occupy the strong camp of Cambron, Marlborough reluc tantly allowed his troops to halt a day, for the sake of reco vering from their fatigue. On the 14th, at six in the morning, he directed his march to Soignies; but his progress being retarded by a heavy rain, the heads of his columns did not reach the intended camp till late in the evening, and the rear was unable to join before the ensuing morning. The French, meanwhile, evinced the same caution as on the former occasion. After passing the night under arms, they broke up from St. Denis, and continued their retreat by Cambron to Chievres, from whence a single march would place them within the protection of their lines.

But

As the hasty retreat of the enemy precluded all hope of an action, so a succession of heavy rains detained the two armies above a fortnight in their respective camps, greatly to the mortification of the British general, who confidently expected to retrieve the time which he had been compelled to waste since the commencement of the campaign. although the caution of the enemy, and the opposition of the deputies, had frustrated his views, his skill and activity called forth the admiration of all competent judges, and of none more than Eugene, who sincerely sympathised in his disappointment,

"Turin, Aug. 19. What your highness has done since your had the power of inarching against the enemy, evidently proves that this cam. paign would have been as glorious as the last, if you had not been restrained by the great circumspection of the Dutch deputies, who, ignorant of our profession, follow the opinion of their generals, who know nothing but defensive warfare."

In a letter to Godolphin, Marlborough recapitulates the incidents of his march.

"Soignies, Aug. 15.—I was in hopes this might have given you an account of some action; for on Friday we marched to Nivelle, and camped about half a league from Seneff, where the French army was encamped. We came too late for attacking them that evening. As soon as it was dark they began to make their retreat, without making the least noise, not touching either drum or trumpet; so that the Count de Tilly, whom I had detached with 40 squadrons and 5000 grenadiers, to attack their rear guard, in case they should march, knew nothing of their marching till daylight; so that their rear guard was got into the inclosures before he could join them, so that there was very little done. Our loss was three officers and some few soldiers. I believe theirs was also very inconsiderable; but by these four days' march they have lost very considerably by desertion; for we gave them no rest, so that they were two days without bread. They were in one continued march from Friday night, from Seneff, till Sunday twelve o'clock, to Cambron; so that they may now have their bread from Mons. This army is also very much fatigued, so that I shall be obliged to take three or four days' rest in this camp, and then I shall march towards Ath.

66

M. Vendome's avoiding twice to fight within these four days, I hope will convince our friends, as well as enemies, that his orders are not to venture. The consternation that has been amongst their common soldiers ought to assure us of victory, if we can ever engage them; but as they will not venture, they are now in a country where they may march from one strong camp to another, and so end the campaign, which I fear they will do.

66

I have this morning had the favour of yours of the 27th, by which I see you think this may be a proper time to attempt on the coast of France. The season is very much advanced; but if you have any fixed project settled with the officer that is to command, if you would let me know it, you may depend upon having three or four battalions as you desire; for though the Dutch should not be willing, I would take upon myself for so inconsiderable a number. But should you not be almost sure of success, I should not think it advisable for you to run into such an expense as unavoidably this must be. But if you are sure that the people will join with you, and that they can be supported this winter, it ought not to be neglected. If I could have persuaded, the elector of Hanover had been at the army before now.

"Count Dohna has been some days with me, and his account dif

*Count Dohna was the principal officer taken prisoner at the battle of Almanza.

fers very much from that of the English officers concerning Lord Galway.

My Lord Peterborough has been here ever since Friday, and I be lieve thinks of staying some days longer. He assures me that he shall he able to convince yourself and Lord Sunderland that many stories have been made of him, in which there is no truth, and that he hopes to justify himself in every particular to the queen's satisfaction; that his intentions are to be employed by the queen, as she shall judge best; and that if she does not make use of him, that he may have her leave to serve elsewhere.

"He has very obliging letters from the king of Spain, and the duke of Savoy has a kindness for him."

During the visit of Lord Peterborough, which Marlborough here announces, the justifications and complaints with which he had filled his letters while absent, were repeated even to satiety. After a stay of ten days he took his departure, apparently gratified with the polite and hospitable reception which he had experienced, and soothed by the judicious advice of his former patron. At his request Marlborough gave him a letter of recommendation to Godolphin, but cautiously abstained from a general approbation of his conduct, and referred him to the queen and ministry, to whom he transmitted his written justification. The correspondence will spare the necessity of entering farther into the particulars of this visit.*

To the Duchess.

"Soignies, Aug. 15. - Since my last we have had one continued rain, so that neither the enemy nor we can stir out of our camps. I have at this time my winter clothes and a fire in my chamber; but, what is worse, the ill weather hinders me from going abroad, so that Lord Peter

--

*The following is the ostensible letter of recommendation, of which Peterborough was the bearer, from Marlborough to Godolphin : "Soignies, Aug, 20. - My lord, as I have had the favour of Lord Peterborough's company ten days, he has not only shown me, but left with me the copies of several letters, and resolutions of councils of war to demonstrate the falsity of several facts maliciously reported of him. He has given me the enclosed paper of what he hears is reported against him. My having been so constantly abroad makes me ignorant, not only as to this paper, but also what other facts may be laid to his charge; but as he is resolved to acquaint you and Lord Sunderland with every thing, in order the queen may have a true information, I shall say no more, but that, as far as I am capable of judging, I verily think he has acted with great zeal.

"I am ever, my lord, your most obedient humble servant,

"MARLBOROUGH.'