of perfect health and spirits. It is therefore surprising to
find such activity of body and energy of mind exerted under
the pressure of indisposition. Though naturally robust,
Marlborough was subject at an early period to fits of head-
ache and fever, which were rendered more frequent by the
fatigues of a military life, the labour of an extensive and
incessant correspondence, and the anxiety of a mind harassed
by the party feuds and intrigues both in England and
abroad.

By a complaint of this kind he was affected soon after
his passage of the Danube, and the disorder was greatly
creased by the care and labour he underwent, before and
during the battle of Blenheim, in which he was no less than
seventeen hours on horseback. The sense of pain was for a
moment banished by the exultation of victory; but during
his march towards the Rhine, we find in his correspondence
repeated indications of his bodily sufferings.

To Lord Godolphin.

"Camp at Steinheim, Aug. 17. 1704. -- Ever since the bottle I have
been so employed about our own wounded men and the prisoners, that I
have not one hour's quiet, which has so disordered me, that if I were in
London I should be in my bed in a high fever."

"August 23. -- I am suffered to have so little time to myself, that I
have a continual fever on my spirits, which makes me very weak; but
when I go from hence, I am resolved to go in my coach till I come to
the Rhine, which I do not doubt will restore me to perfect health.
Nothing but my zeal for her majesty's service could have enabled me to
have gone through the fatigues I have had for the last three months;
and I am but too sure when I shall have the happiness of seeing you,
you will find me ten years older than when I left England. I do not
say this to complain, for I esteem myself very happy if I can make any
return for her majesty's goodness to me and mine."

Arriving thus debilitated in the low marshy country
bordering the Rhine, he was attacked with an ague, which
for several days suspended his attention to military duties.
Writing to Godolphin, Sept. 19., he observes: --

"I had the favour of yours of the 22d and of the 25th of last month,
when I came last Monday from Landau; but I was so uneasy with a
cold fit of an ague, that I could neither read yours nor write to you by
the post."

The usual remedies produced the desired effect; but left
him for some time in a state of languor and weakness

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