visit to the Hague. Still, however, he found extreme diffi-
culty in prompting a timid and commercial people, whose
whole views were confined to temporary safety, to engage
even in the modified plan which he had hitherto suggested
for an expedition to the Moselle. After passing several
days in combating the alarms of some, and the factious oppo-
sition of others, he resolved to extort that aid from their
fears which he could not obtain from their public spirit,
by declaring his intention to lead the English troops
alone to the Moselle. The event answered his expec-
tations. His declaration silenced the clamours of faction,
and operated on the fears of the timid; and in a formal con-
ference with the States-general, on the 4th of May, he ob-
tained powers which he deemed sufficient for the accom-
plishment of his design. At the same time he had success-
fully negotiated with the court of Prussia, and procured the
necessary facilities for transporting his magazines to Cob-
lentz. With that indefatigable activity of mind, which can
pursue the most extensive combinations without neglecting
subordinate details, he superintended in person the collection
and embarkation of these necessary requisites. He saw also
there inforcements which had recently arrived from England
commence their march for the general rendezvous, under the
command of his brother, General Churchill.

Thus did this able negotiator and profound statesman, as
well as great commander, wield all the jarring interests of a
heterogeneous confederacy: thus did he turn even the alarms
of the timid, the clamours of the factious, and the views of
the interested, to the accomplishment of the boldest and most
adventurous project, which in modern times had ever been
conceived by a general who was responsible for his actions,
and limited in his authority. He had departed from Eng-
land under the pressure of domestic chagrin, derived from
some petty bickerings with the duchess. At this period a
reconciliation not only seems to have taken place, but in the
warmth of returning tenderness, she even testified a wish to
accompany him during the campaign, and to soothe his anxi-
ety by her presence. His reply shows how intimately the
affections of the man were, in his bosom, blended with the
virtues of the hero.

"Hague, April 24.--May 5. -- Your dear letter of the 15th came to me

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