that my happiness ought to depend upon my knowledge, that I do what I think is for the best. If I can succeed in the taking of Treves I shall not then stay above ten days longer in this country; for when I shall have given the necessary orders for the siege of Traerbach, I shall leave the execution of it to the prince of Hesse, having promised the king of the Romans to be with him before the siege of Landau is ended."

Marlborough obtained the success which he so much merited by his vigilance, skill, and activity. We continue to relate in his own words the result of these masterly operations, in two letters to secretary Harley:

60

Camp at St. Wendel, October 26. "Since my last I quitted the camp of Weissemburg on Thursday at break of day. I am advancing with 27 battalions, 49 squadrons, 14 cannon, and 4 howitzers, towards the Moselle, to settle the winter quarters, and order the attack against Traerbach. I am favoured by good weather, and not without apprehensions that the enemy may pre-occupy Treves, but I will endeavour to arrive there before the french detachment."

66

Camp at Treves, October 29. "I thank God we have prevented them. Last night three deputies from Treves came to the camp at Hermenskel, six leagues off, to acquaint me that the french garrison of 300 men were still in the fort, who might insult the town on our approach, if not prevented. Whereupon I marched before break of day this morning, with all the horse and four battalions; and as soon as our vanguard appeared, the enemy quitted the fort and retired over the Moselle, after throwing much provisions and ammunition into the river. An advanced corps took some prisoners, and prevented any mischief, which they intended to execute, had they not been surprised by the celerity of this march."

From a letter of Cardonnel we learn also that the enemy were not inattentive to this movement, and would undoubtedly have baffled a less active and vigilant commander.*

* These three last letters are extracted from the originals in the State Paper Office.

"October 31. It was very lucky that my lord duke hastened his march, for on the same day monsieur D'Allegre came with a detachment of horse within two leagues of Treves, having ordered a good body of troops to follow him, but on notice of our being here, immediately retired."

Possessed of so important a place as Treves, the duke collected 6,000 of the neighbouring peasantry to repair and strengthen the fortifications, and posted the cavalry at Consaarbruck to cover the operation. Having settled the distribution of winter quarters in the vicinity, he proceeded towards Traerbach, which was occupied by a french garrison of 600 men. Arriving at Berncastel the 3rd of November, he was joined by the 12 dutch battalions drawn from the Meuse. After surveying the environs of Traerbach, and giving the necessary directions to the prince of Hesse for the siege of the place, he returned with equal expedition to the camp at Cron Weissemburg. Thus, in the short space of 21 days, he accomplished an arduous and highly important undertaking, the result of which may be best described in his own simple though expressive language: "I reckon," he writes to Godolphin, "this campaign is well over, since the winter quarters are settled on the Moselle, which I think will give France as much uneasiness as any thing that has been done this summer."

In fact the original view of Marlborough was to have besieged Saar Louis, which would have materially facilitated his intended invasion of France; but as the protracted defence of Landau frustrated this design, he adopted the most efficient measures to secure the advantages he had gained. He placed a garrison in Treves, under the command of the count de Noyalles, occupied Saarbruck, and after the surrender of Traerbach, quartered a strong corps of auxiliary troops, near the confluence of the Saar and the Moselle.

CHAPTER 30.

1704.

queen and

Effects of the battle of Blenheim in England and abroad-Letters of the Mrs. Burnett-Violence of the disaffected—Attempts of the tories to decry the successes of Marlborough Letters to his duchess on the state of parties.

HAVING

AVING traced the grand events of this extraordinary campaign and their effects abroad, we turn our attention to the impression which they produced in England. It would be difficult to describe the burst of exultation which arose on the first news of the glorious victory in the field of Blenheim. The queen repaired to St. Paul's in state, to offer up a solemn thanksgiving for the success of her arms; and every class of her subjects seemed to vie with each other in the expression of their homage to the Lord God of hosts, and gratitude to the commander who had been the instrument of the divine blessing. Addresses and letters of congratulation flowed in from all quarters, of which we shall select only two, one from the queen, as indicative of her own feelings, and another from Mrs. Burnett, wife of the bishop of Salisbury, as equally indicative of the public sentiment.

THE QUEEN TO THE DUCHESS,

In answer to the note announcing the victory.

"Windsor, August 10-21. "Since I sent my letter away by the messenger, I have had the happiness of receiving my dear Mrs. Freeman's, by colonel Park, with the good news of this glorious victory, which, next to God Almighty, is wholly owing to dear Mr. Freeman, on whose safety I congratulate you with all my soul. May the same Providence that has

hitherto preserved, still watch over, and send him well home to you. We can never thank God Almighty enough for these great blessings; but must make it our endeavour to deserve them, and I hope he will continue his goodness to us, in delivering us from the attempts of all our other enemies. I have nothing to add at present, but my being sincerely, &c.

MRS. BURNETT TO THE DUCHESS.

"Aug. 12, O. S.-Though your grace's moments are so valuable that I should fear to trouble you with my most humble thanks, till you had more leisure to receive such worthless tributes, yet I cannot defer letting your grace know the joy I see in every one I meet. The common people, who I feared were grown stupid, have and do now shew greater signs of satisfaction and triumph, than I think I ever saw before on any good success whatever; and after the first tribute of praise to God, the first cause of all that is good, every one studies who shall most exalt the duke of Marlborough's fame, by admiring the great secresy, excellent conduct in the design, and wonderful resolution and courage in the execution. The emperor can give no title* half so glorious as such an action. How much blood and treasure has been spent to reduce the exorbitant power of France, and to give a balance to Europe; and when after so long a struggle the event remained under great uncertainty, to have the glory to break the chain, give the greatest blow to that tyranny that it ever had, have an emperor to owe his empire to the queen's armies as conducted by his grace, are splendours that outshine any reward they can receive.

66

"I do not wonder you are all joy. You have just cause for it, and to recount every day with the utmost thankfulness the amazing blessings God has heaped upon you. The bishop heartily prays for the continuance of the duke's success, so that the queen may have the greatest glory that is possible, that is the restoring peace and liberty to Europe, and what is greater, the free profes

sion of the protestant religion, wherever it has been persecuted or oppressed; and that after her, her ministers, who are the instruments, may share in the lasting blessings and glory due to such benefactors to mankind. Sure no honest man can refuse to unite in such noble designs. I am really giddy with joy, and if I rave you must forgive me. I can lament for no private loss, since God has given such a general mercy. In death it would be a matter of joy to me to have lived so long as to hear it.

"The bishop said he could not sleep, his heart was so charged with joy. He desires your grace would carefully lay up that little letter* as a relic that cannot be valued enough. Some wiser people than myself think the nation is in so good a humour with this great success and the plentiful harvest, that better circumstances can hardly meet for a new parliament; and with a little care, it may be as good a one as the depraved manners of this nation is capable of. I pray God direct and prosper all her majesty's counsels and resolutions in this, and every thing else, and make her the universal protectress of truth and charity. And may your grace be ever a happy favourite, happy in all your advices and services, and happy in her majesty's kind approbation and esteem, and may every honest heart love you as well, and endeavour to serve you as faithfully as does your grace's most obedient, &c."

While Marlborough was thus raising the glory of his country to a height greater than it had ever before reached, while his victories were fixing the religion and constitution on a firm basis, he was exposed to the petty cavils of the discontented among both parties in England, whom he equally offended by his desire of preserving himself in a state of independence.

During the march through Germany, and while the plans of Marlborough were not yet developed, the violent tories, as well as the enemies to the protestant establishment had openly declared, that they would attack him in parliament. They complained

*Private letter from the duke.