OF

JOHN DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH

WITH

SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES AND OF

THE WAR OF THE SUCCESSION.

BY

ARCHIBALD ALISON, LL.D.

AUTHOR OF "THE HISTORY OF EUROPE."

SECOND EDITION, GREATLY ENLARGED.

VOL. II.

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS

EDINBURGH AND LONDON

MDCCCLII

PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH.

Surrey like shap

10-29-35

31032

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAPTER VII.

PROGRESS OF THE WAR IN OTHER QUARTERS IN 1708--CONFERENCE OF THE HAGUE.-

SIEGE OF TOURNAY.-BATTLE OF MALPLAQUET.-FALL OF MONS.

1. Progress of the war in the Mediterranean and on the Rhine,

2. Ruinous divisions which prevailed in Spain,

3. Fall of Tortosa and Denia,

4. Nugatory campaign on the Italian frontier,

5. Projects of the courts of Turin and Berlin for the next campaign,

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2

6. Marlborough's cold reception from the court of England, and mission to the

14. M. de Torcy secretly offers bribes to Marlborough, which are refused,

15. Remarkable conversation of M. de Torcy with Marlborough,

13

14

16. His sentiments expressed to M. de Torcy on a peace,

15

17. Ultimatum of the Allies, which is rejected by France,

16

19. False accusation against Marlborough of having prevented the peace,

18. Marlborough still labours to effect a pacification,

20. Resolution of the States-General on the rupture of the negotiations,

21. Reflections on the rupture of this negotiation,

22. Noble efforts of Louis to save France,

23. Eulogy of M. Dumont on the conduct of France on this occasion,

24. Forces on both sides at the opening of the campaign,

25. Marlborough's efforts to obtain an augmentation of force in the Low Coun-

26. Which at length are partially successful. The forces at his disposal,

27. Description of Villars' position,

28. Marlborough's measures to deceive Villars,

17

18

19

34. But the citadel is at length taken,

35. Vigorous movements of Marlborough towards Mons,

36. Positions taken by Marlborough after the lines were passed,

37. He turns Villars' lines, and gets between them and France,

38. Concentration of the Allied and of Villars' armies,

39. Composition and strength of the French army,

40. Description of the field of Malplaquet,

41. Noble force on both sides,

42. Preparatory movements on both sides, and interference of the Dutch

43. Opinions of Marlborough and Eugene in the council of war,

44. Result of these deliberations,

45. Villars fortifies his position,

46. Plan of attack by the Allied generals,

47. Feelings of the soldiers on both sides,

48. Commencement of the battle,

49. Marlborough, after a desperate conflict, carries the wood of Taisnière,

50. Bloody repulse of the Prince of Orange on the left,

51. Heroic but ineffectual efforts of the Prince of Orange to restore the com-

bat,

52. Marlborough hastens to the spot, and restores the battle,

53. A vigorous attack of Villars on the right weakens his centre, which Marl-

borough prepares to attack,

54. Decisive attack by Lord Orkney on the centre,

55. Admirable efforts of Boufflers to regain the day,

56. Terrible cavalry action,

57. Boufflers' able and orderly retreat,

38

58. Results of the battle to the Allies,

59. Loss of the French, and humanity of Marlborough,

60. Distinguished officers killed and wounded on both sides,

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61. Blame unjustly thrown on the Prince of Orange in this battle,

65

67. Injudicious request of Marlborough to be made captain-general for life,

68. His flattering reception from the Houses of Parliament,

69. Increasing jealousies of him at court,

73. He determines to resign if Mrs Masham is not removed,

78

74. But is persuaded to yield, and is seemingly reconciled to the Queen,

75. Reflections on these steps of Marlborough,

ib.

79