out of their country is the difficulty. I am of your opinion, that the
face of every thing is much better this year than it was at this time last
year, so that you may be sure I shall be very cautious; but by what I
can observe, the French will endeavour, by putting themselves on the
defensive in this country and in Alsace, to make themselves able to attack
us on the Moselle. Our Scotch recruits are come, so that we want now
nothing but our two lieutenant-generals and my brother, who can have
no excuse but a convoy, so that I beg you will get the prince's council to
lose no time in letting them have ten men of war."

Harassed with this opposition, he at the same time feelingly
describes to the duchess the uneasiness of his situation: --

"I am like a sick body that turns from one part of the bed to the
other: for I would fain be gone from hence, in hopes to find more quiet
in the army. God only knows what ease I may have when I come there."

At length he announces with satisfaction the consent of the
Dutch government to his plan of operations and his departure
for the army.

To the Duchess.

"April 23-May 4. -- Since the last post I have had two of my dear
soul's letters, which I believe is the reason that I have none by my
brother, whom I have not seen, but he came yesterday to Rotterdam, and
is to follow me to Maestricht, where I shall be on Friday, being now
going in a boat to Utrecht. These people here have at last consented to
most things I wished for. If I can have the same success with Prince
Louis, I hope, with the blessing of God, we may have a good campaign,
which you think so necessary to prevent the malice of the tackers."

To Lord Godolphin.

"May 4. -- I am now in a boat going for Utrecht, having at last, I
think, persuaded almost every body that it were to be wished that the
English were at this time on the Moselle. However, to please M.
Overkirk, I have consented that the English shall take their march by
Maestricht, by which we shall lose three days. I shall be at Maestricht
myself on Friday morning, which will be five days before the English
can be there; and if that army will attempt any thing, I shall be very
much pleased to stay five or six days and help them with the English.
The enclosed from Prince Louis of Baden I received by estaffette yes-
terday; I send it that you may see what a miserable thing a German
army is! By the care you took to have a convoy, my brother and all
the officers are come over."

Marlborough had still greater obstacles to surmount in
combating the tardy and interested policy of the court of
Vienna. With an aged monarch in the close of life, the
government itself was verging to decrepitude; the business
was principally conducted by superannuated ministers, whose
sole merit was a mechanical acquaintance with the routine

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