and then I am resolved to drink the Spa waters. I wish with all my
heart those of Tunbridge may do you good; and then I am sure the first
summer I am with you I shall desire to go thither with you, and then I
believe the waters will do me good; for till I am pleased and at ease with
you no waters nor any thing else will do me good."

"August 19.-- When I had writ this far I took the resolution of not
letting the post go, believing I should have engaged the enemy as yester-
day, which I certainly had done if it had been in my power. But all the
Dutch generals, except M. Overkirk, were against it, so that the deputies
would not consent to our engaging, notwithstanding we were in battle,
within cannon shot of the enemy; and I do assure you that our army
were at least one third stronger than theirs. We are now returning, for
we cannot stay longer than the bread we have brought with us will give
us leave. It is impossible to make the war with advantage at this rate.
I have sent a copy of my letter to the States to lord treasurer. I should
have writ in a very angry style, but I was afraid it might have given the
French an advantage."

To give additional poignancy to the grief which Marl-
borough felt at this unfortunate failure, he had soon after-
wards the mortification to learn that the enemy, instead of
risking an engagement, would have fallen back on Brussels,
had he advanced against them with his whole force.

On his arrival at Corbais, he strongly expresses to Go-
dolphin his feelings of regret and indignation.

"August 24. -- I did in my last send you a copy of my letter to the
States, in which I was careful not to use any expression that might give
advantage to the French. Several prisoners whom we have taken since,
as well as the deserters, assure us that they should have made no other
defence but such as might have given them time to have drawn the army
towards Brussels, where all their baggage was already gone. By this
you may imagine how I am vexed, seeing very plainly that the people I
am joined with will never do any thing."

ON retiring to his quarters at Lower Wavre, the duke wrote
an official letter to the States, which displays the struggle
in his mind, between his fear of injuring the common cause,
by an incautious remonstrance, and his indignation at the
disappointment he had undergone. After observing, that
from the goodness of the troops he had flattered himself with
the prospect of a glorious victory, and confident that the
deputies would impart the arguments on both sides of the

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