berg produced in the bavarian army, was deep and universal; but on the elector himself, though a prince of the highest spirit and bravery, the blow fell with accumulated effect. He lost that gaiety and affability which had hitherto given animation to his troops; and in discoursing on the catastrophe, the tears ran down his cheeks as he adverted to the fate of his favourite regiments. In this disposition, hope was entertained that he would submit to such terms as might save his country from the horrors of military execution. Accordingly a negotiation, which was commenced before the engagement by Marlborough, and broken off in consequence of the exorbitant demands made by the elector, was resumed. The consent of the emperor was with difficulty extorted, and the necessary powers and instructions were confided to count Wratislaw, while the interests of the elector were managed by M. Reichardt, one of his secretaries. During the recent movements of the army, several communications had taken place; and the conditions were at length so far arranged, that the elector promised to meet the austrian plenipotentiary on the 25th of July, and ratify the articles which had been concluded by his agent. The terms were neither dishonourable to his character, nor insulting to his feelings: he was to obtain the restoration of his dominions, and a subsidy of 200,000 crowns, to furnish 12,000 men for the service of the emperor.

The hope of a satisfactory arrangement was, however, of short duration. The elector, who had yielded to the first shock, was encouraged to per

severe, by the advance of the reinforcements under Tallard. Instead, therefore, of fulfilling his promise to meet the austrian plenipotentiary, and conclude the treaty, he sent his secretary to the appointed place with a message, announcing that since the french general was approaching to his succour with an army of 35,000 men, it was neither in his power, nor consistent with his honour, to desert an ally who made such efforts in his behalf. The confederates had now no other alternative, than to visit the offences of the prince on his unfortunate subjects. Numerous villages were burnt or destroyed, and the whole country was given up to military execution, as far as the vicinity of Munich. But although Marlborough was thus compelled to fulfil the most unwelcome duty which can fall to a general, his private correspondence shews that he felt as a man, and deplored the sad necessity to which he was reduced. In one of his letters to the duchess, he observes :

"July 30.-The succours which the elector expects on Sunday, have given him so much resolution, that he has no thoughts of peace. How. ever, we are in his country, and he will find it difficult to persuade us to quit it. We sent this morning 3000 horse to his chief city of Munich, with orders to burn and destroy all the country about it. This is so contrary to my nature, that nothing but absolute necessity could have obliged. me to consent to it, for these poor people suffer for their master's ambition. There having been no war in this country for above sixty years, these

towns and villages are so clean, that you would be pleased with them."

In another he says, "You will, I hope, believe me, that my nature suffers when I see so many fine places burnt, and that must be burnt, if the elector will not hinder it. I shall never be easy and happy till I am quiet with you.”

He also used his utmost exertions to restrain the wanton depredations of the german soldiery, and in his correspondence with the duchess, he particularly expresses his satisfaction that he had saved the luxuriant woods and forests, which at once formed the riches and ornament of the country.

In one of the preceding letters, Marlborough communicates an offer which had been secretly made by the emperor, through count Wratislaw, to reward his services with a principality of the empire. Amidst the transports of joy produced by the victory of Schellenberg, the proposal was renewed in still more pressing terms, and forms a prominent subject in the correspondence of Marlborough, during his progress in Bavaria. Writing from the camp at Purkheim to the duchess, July 16, he says:

"As to what is proposed by the emperor, I should be glad the lord treasurer and you should be informed of my intention in this matter, which is, that I have no thought that this should change my name or rank in England.. But as none of my nation ever had the like, I think it may remain in after times, as an honour to the queen and to me, After all, I am very sure I will cheerfully sub

mit, not only in this, but in all things that may concern me, to what shall be thought best by the queen, the lord treasurer, and you."

In a subsequent letter, from Aicha, he observes:"Count Wratislaw has by order again pressed me. I made no other answer, than that I was very sensible of the honour the emperor intended me, but that the queen's pleasure was to govern me in this, as in all things else. He then told me that the emperor, had writ to her majesty, and that he had ordered his minister at London to desire an audience, in which he was to explain the emperor's intentions, and to desire that her majesty would lay her commands upon me. I beg you will let the queen know, that whatever is agreeable to her in this matter, is what I shall like best."

Before, however, the answer of the queen could reach the army, Marlborough had acquired a new and higher title to this honourable distinction.

CHAPTER 25.

1704.

Advance of Tallard from the Rhine. - His junction with the elector of Bavaria. - Arrival of Eugene in the plain of Blenheim. - Critical situation of the confederates. ·Skilful manœuvres of Marlborough to unite the two armies. Investment of Ingoldstadt by the margrave. Movement of the gallo-bavarians to the left bank of the Danube. Communications of Eugene and Marlborough. Passage of the Danube by Marlborough, and junction of their forces on the Kessel. - Position of the french at Hochstadt. Preparations and movements of the confederates for an engagement.- Description of the valley of the Danube. The scene of the approaching conflict.

MEANWHILE the movements of the enemy created new embarrassments, and called forth the vigilance and resources of the british commander. Marshall Tallard, after losing five days in a fruitless attempt on Villingen, forded the Danube at Mosskirk, and emerged into the plains between Ulm, Biberach, and Memmingen. Leaving Ulm to the north-west, he made a rapid march through Weissenhorn towards the Schmutter; and at Biberbach* came in communication with the electoral

*Biberbach on the Schmutter. Several of the writers on this campaign have mistaken this Biberbach for the Biberach near Ulm.