To the Duchess.

"Sept. 27. - Having received yours of the 10th this afternoon, I coula not omit sending back all the enclosed papers you have desired, and letting you know, at the same time, what I have formerly writ in other letters, that I am glad you have taken the resolution of being quiet; for you are certainly in the right, that whatever is said or writ by you, the lord treasurer, and me, serves only for information to do hurt. The copy of the letter you have sent, I think, should be delivered; for if it does no good, it can do no hurt. For my own part, I am quite weary of all business ; and if amongst all these disagreeable bustles, I could be so happy as to have liberty of remaining quiet with you, I should be at the height of my wishes."

"Oct. 1. By the French having taken all the posts along the Scheldt, makes it almost impossible for our letters to go that way without falling into their hands; and that by Ostend is very near as dangerous, so that we are obliged to be upon our guard of what we write, if we would not have them know it; so that you must not expect particulars as to news. But as for my personal esteem and kindness for you, I should rather the world should know it than otherwise; for if I am to be happy, it must be with you. I have read yours of the 10-21 st three times, and am so entirely of your opinion as to the queen, that I cannot hinder repeating it again in this letter; for the resolution you have taken of neither speaking nor writing, is so certainly right, that I dare assure you, that you will find a good effect of it in one month. For I really am of opinion, that when the queen shall be sensible, which she will be in that time, that you, the lord treasurer, and I, are in such despair, that we offer nothing, but leave every thing to the direction of those that have the present power with her, it will so startle her, that she will take other measures; and this will make her comply with what is necessary for the saving herself, or nothing will do. I can't entirely agree with your opinion of the queen; I must own I have a tenderness for her, and I would willingly believe that all which is amiss, proceeds from the ambition and ill-judgment of Mrs. Masham, and the knavery and artfulness of Mr. Harley."

"Oct. 4. Since my last, I have had the pleasure of yours of the 14th. Notwithstanding the difficulty in the passage of the letters, I did in my last explain my thoughts so fully, as t the queen, that you must not think my opinion changed, if I should not mention her any more this campaign. I do from my soul pity the lord treasurer; for his good sense must make him sensible how we are both exposed by the folly and opiniatrety of others." ❤

Appendix, note G.

CHAP. LXXII. SIEGE OF LILLE. 1708.

AFTER long and mature deliberation, the confederate generals finally resolved to undertake the siege of Lille, an enterprise which, though less bold and decisive than an immediate invasion of France, was yet the only operation in which the views, means, and interests of all parties could be brought to coincide. The difficulties with which it was likely to be attended were, however, so great and multifarious, that it was made the subject of general ridicule in France; and Vendome publicly declared his conviction, that an able commander, like Eugene, would never venture to engage in so rash a design.

Lille, the capital of French Flanders, was one of the first conquests of Louis XIV. in 1667, and ceded to him by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. It is situated in a swampy plain, watered by several streams. The fortifications were constructed under the superintendence of the celebrated Vauban, who strengthened it with a regular citadel, in the form of a pentagon, defended with two ditches, and a double series of outworks. It was the key of the country watered by the Lys and the Scheldt, and connected with both rivers by canals. A project for its defence was drawn up by Vauban himself, which, on his death, in the preceding year, was consigned to his pupil and nephew. This able officer, as chief engineer, hastened to the place, as soon as it was threatened. The command was entrusted to Marshal Boufflers, governor of Flanders, who was distinguished for his skill in the defence of fortresses, and assisted by officers of his own choice, the most intelligent and skilful in their several departments.

The troops who had escaped in the route at Oudenard were formed into four battalions, and the garrison was reinforced by two others; the whole, with three regiments of dragoons, and 800 invalids, making a total of nearly 15,000 men; and to use the words of the French biographer, 66 never were preparations better concerted, nor more proper to frustrate the efforts of the enemy." Nor did the strength of the place create the only difficulty. The season was already advanced, the necessary circumvallation was extensive, and

the hostile army was not only superior to that which was to cover the siege, but commanded all the water communications with the nearest part of Holland.

On entering Lille the 29th of July, Boufflers prepared the usual means for a vigorous resistance. New works were constructed on the weakest points, the hedges and trees were cut down, to the distance of 800 paces, and fascines, and pallisades in abundance, were furnished by the district. Several mines were also formed under the covert way, in parts which appeared the most threatened; and every arrangement was made for maintaining a constant supply of arms and artillery, for the subsistence of the garrison, and for the regular distribution of the ammunition and stores.

This memorable enterprise excited universal attention, and drew to the spot many distinguished personages. King Augustus arrived on the 19th of July in the confederate camp, together with the landgrave of Hesse. Marlborough reviewed before them the two lines of his army, and afterwards the king repaired to the quarters of Eugene. It is not uninteresting to observe, that he was here joined by his natural son, Maurice, aged twelve years, afterwards so celebrated as Marshal Saxe, who had secretly departed from Dresden on foot, and reached the army, notwithstanding the fatigues of the journey, and the vigilance of his guardians. Here also Munich and Schwerin, who both rose to such a height of military fame, made their first essay in a species of warfare, of all others the most dangerous and critical. Lastly, here the young prince of Hanover added to the laurels which he had gained at Oudenard, and contributed to increase the fame of that nation over whom he was destined to reign.

For want of water conveyance, the train and stores for the siege, amounting to 94 pieces of cannon, 60 mortars, and above 3000 ammunition waggons, had been collected at Brussels. The whole attention of the two contending armies was therefore employed, one to secure, the other to prevent the march of this important convoy, which occupied a line of fifteen miles, and had to traverse a tract of twenty-five leagues, through a hostile force amounting to 100,000 men.

Eager to profit by so favourable an opportunity of striking a decisive blow, the French commanders detached a corps of

18,000 men, from the main army at Ghent, to Melle, with the view of annoying the convoy at its departure from Brussels. At the same time Berwick advanced to Mortagne, with a design of arresting it, in the passage across the Scheldt, towards the allied camp. On their part, the confederate generals were not less vigilant, in watching over the safety of a convoy on which their future success depended. Eugene visited the camp of Werwick at the latter end of July, to concert the necessary preparations with his colleague, and on the 3d of August departed with a reinforcement of twentyfive battalions and as many squadrons, to rejoin his army, which had hitherto remained in the vicinity of Brussels. As the convoy approached the point of destination, active measures were adopted by Marlborough to strengthen the escort, and facilitate the movements of Eugene.

On the 6th of August the convoy departed from Brussels under the immediate care of the prince of Hesse, while Eugene commanded the covering army. It took the route to Soignies, which it reached on the same evening. The hostile detachment instantly moved from Melle towards Ninove, but finding the convoy too strongly protected, withdrew to its first position. Berwick, on the other hand, considered Mons as threatened, and weakened his force, by throwing succours into the place. Contrary, however, to their expectation, the convoy on the 8th directed its course from Soignies to Ath, where it halted the ensuing day. Thence it proceeded to Trasne in the way to the Scheldt, which it was to traverse over bridges prepared at Pottes.

Meanwhile a constant communication had been maintained between the two allied commanders respecting its progress. Receiving intelligence on the 7th that it was preparing to move, Marlborough detached the duke of Wirtemberg, with 30 squadrons, to advance to Oudenard, and place himself under the orders of Eugene. On the 11th, being apprised that it had passed the Scheldt at Pottes, the preceding day, he sent General Wood, with thirty squadrons, to guard against the enterprises of the troops at Ghent; and the prince of Orange, with thirty-one battalions, to Marquette, on the Lower Dyle, to hold in check the garrison of Lille. On the following day he moved with the main army, and advanced to the vicinity of Helchin.

The convoy being_now in safety, Marlborough had the gratification to meet Eugene, whose army had reached Templeuve, and to share in his exultation at the success of so arduous an undertaking. So perfect, indeed, were the arrangements, so indefatigable the exertions, and so consummate the vigilance of the two illustrious chiefs, that this immense train of stores accomplished its march, not only without losing a single carriage, but even without suffering a single insult. So consummate an enterprise extorted the wonder and admiration even of an enemy. The caustic

Feuquières bears an involuntary testimony of applause, when he observes, "Posterity will scarcely believe this fact, though it is an indubitable truth." Nor can the French biographer refrain from exclaiming, "Never was a daring enterprise conducted with more skill or greater circumspection."

He

The arrangements were now completed for the investment of Lille. The prince of Orange, who had reached the Marquette on the 11th, had surprised a French post in the abbey, by the enterprising valour of a British sergeant, who swam across the river and let down the drawbridge. thus straitened Lille between the Upper and Lower Dyle. On the 13th, Eugene led his army across the Marque at Pont à Tressin, and prolonged the investment to the Upper Dyle. On the same day detachments of 1500 horse and 1200 foot were ordered to Templeuve and Pont à Chin to watch the movements of the enemy from Tournay, while the investing troops were taking post. On the 14th the camp for the south and east attack was traced. The quarters began near Haubordin on the Upper Dyle, passed by Lambessart to the abbey of Marquette, and then bending in a curve towards the Marque, continued through Flers to the point where they commenced.

He

While Eugene thus straitened the place, Marlborough continued at Helchin, where he covered the operation, and protected the convoys from Ath, Brussels, and Oudenard. at the same time retarded the immediate junction of the armies of Vendome and Berwick, the first of which remained in the vicinity of Ghent, and the second near Mons. A large body of artificers and pioneers were employed on the lines of circumvallation, which were to be fifteen feet wide and nine deep, and to embrace a circumference of nine miles.