which must be our subsistence during the siege. It is hoped this might
be a secret, but I am afraid they have too good intelligence, and then
they may act so as that we may be obliged to take new measures. If
the fear of Nimeguen and the Rhine had not hindered us from marching
into Brabant, they must then have had the disadvantage of governing
themselves by our motions, whereas we are now obliged to mind them.

"I am obliged to you for the compliment you make me for the station
I am now in. It would have been a great deal more agreeable to me, if
it could have been without disputes, and a little less trouble; but patience
will overcome all things."

Having surveyed the ground Marlborough returned to the
camp, and on the 16th the army was posted between Homen
and Wichem, with the Meuse in the rear, and the headquar-
ters at Over-Asselt, within two leagues of the enemy, who
still retained their position at Goch and Genep. Here he
remained several days, as we find from his correspondence.
To his countess he writes, July 17th: --

"We have now very hot weather, which I hope will ripen the fruit at
St. Alban's. When you are there, pray think how happy I should be
walking alone with you. No ambition can make me amends for being
from you. If it were not impertinent, I should desire you in every
letter to give my humble duty to the queen, for I do serve her with all
my heart and soul. I am on horseback or answering letters all day
long; for besides the business of the army, I have letters from the
Hague, and all places where her majesty has any ministers. So that if it
were not for my zeal for her service, I should certainly desert, for you
know of all things I do not love writing."

To Lord Godolphin, July 20th: --

"I am afraid of giving you any trouble, knowing you have but little
time to yourself. However, I cannot forbear sending you a copy of a
letter I received last night from Gueldermassen, who went to the Hague
to hasten every thing for the siege of Rheinberg, which by his letter I
am afraid will not be made. And should we follow what he thinks to
be best, I think the French may have it in their power to beat us. But
to comply as far as I can, I have this night proposed to them the leaving
twenty squadrons of horse, and eighteen battalions of foot, to entrench
themselves before Nimeguen, and to pass the Meuse with the rest of the
army, or to march with the whole towards Cleves, in order to get between
Venloo and the French, if possible, so as to be able to attack them. The
fear the States have of Nimeguen and the passage of the Rhine hinders
the advantage of having the superiority."

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