think may be for the interest of the queen, as well as for my honour."

He had now reached the most critical point, as well as the most anxious period of his long and difficult march. Before him stretched the range of mountains skirting the country watered by the Danube, which was intersected by the narrow pass of Gieslingen. This defile, which extended two miles in length, could scarcely be traversed by a large body of troops in less than a day, during the most favourable season of the year. At this moment the operation was rendered still more difficult by a series of heavy rains, which had broken up the roads, and swollen the rivulets into torrents. New cares and more extensive combinations were required on entering the real scene of action, and measures were to be taken for securing the junction with prince Louis, as soon as the army should descend into the plains. To add to the disquietude of the commander, the States General were alarmed by reports that Villeroy was returning to the Netherlands, and earnestly reclaimed a part of the auxiliary forces. News also arrived that Villeroy and Tallard had held a conference at Landau, on the 13th, which seemed to portend some enterprise of moment, and that the elector of Bavaria, after sending his baggage to Ulm, was pushing his army across the Danube, as if meditating an attack on prince Louis.

But the powerful mind of Marlborough seemed to gather strength and resources even from difficulty and peril. To tranquillise the States, he sent orders for the collection of a sufficient number of

boats to facilitate the return of a large body of troops down the Rhine. He employed the interval of his halt in directing the formation of magazines at Heidelsheim and Nordlingen. He also enjoined the danish foot, who had reached Frankfort, to direct their march towards Stolhoffen, and place themselves at the disposition of Eugene; and having pressed his brother, who had arrived with the infantry at Blockingen, to hasten his progress, he prepared to lead forward the cavalry and auxiliaries to the aid of prince Louis.

On the 20th he received the long expected intelligence that the German army was on the point of advancing to Westerstetten. The heavy baggage was instantly directed to move, under a strong escort, that it might not embarrass the passage of the troops. The whole army gradually traversed the defile without obstruction, and on the 22d the camp was established, between Launsheim and Ursprung, the right joining the left of prince Louis, who, in the interim, had taken his position near Westerstetten.

The following day was spent in reviewing the troops and forming a new line of battle. On the 24th, the confederates advancing to Elchingen and Langenau, in the vicinity of the Danube, the elector of Bavaria withdrew from his post at Ulm, and retired to the strong intrenched camp between Lawingen and Dillingen. The 25th the head quarters of Marlborough were established at Langenau. Here we discover in his correspondence with the duchess, a pleasing indication of sympathy with the sufferings of his troops.

" June 14-25.-As I was never more sensible of heat in my life than I was a fortnight ago, we have now the other extremity of cold; for as I am writing I am forced to have fire in the stove in my chamber. But the poor men, that have not such conveniences, I am afraid will suffer from these continual rains. As they do us hurt here, they do good to prince Eugene on the Rhine, so that we must take the bad with the good."

On the 26th the confederates again moved and took post between Herbrechten and Giengen, with the Brentz in front, two leagues from the enemy. On the following day general Churchill arrived with the foot and artillery, and two battalions of prussian infantry, who had joined him in his march. Marlborough reviewed them as they passed to take their post in the lines, and was highly gratified to observe that their recent fatigues had not affected their gallant air and healthy appearance. The junction of all the forces being now complete, except that of the danish horse, under the duke of Wirtemberg, the combined army amounted to 96 battalions and 202 squadrons, with a train of 48 pieces of artillery, and 24 pontoons.

We here insert a letter to his wife, which not only displays the feelings of our great commander at this trying crisis, but indicates that ardent conjugal affection, and keen sensibility to public censure, which pervades his correspondence. It shews also that singular facility with which he could bend his attention to trifles even in the midst of the most serious occupations.

"Giengen, June 18-29.-Since my last, I have

had the happiness of receiving yours of the 30th of the last month, and the 1st and 2d of this. It is not only by yours, but by others that I find that there are several people, who would be glad of my not having success in this undertaking. I am very confident, without flattering myself, that it is the only thing that was capable of saving us from ruin, so that whatever the success may be, I shall have the inward satisfaction to know that I have done all that was in my power, and that none can be angry with me for the undertaking, but such as wish ill to their country and their religion, and with such I am not desirous of their friendship.

"The english foot and cannon joined me two days ago, but I do not expect the danish horse till six or seven days hence, till which time, we shall not be able to act against the elector of Bavaria, as I could wish. You will easily believe that I act with all my heart and soul, since good success will in all likelihood give me the happiness of ending my days with you. The queen's allowing you to say something from her is very obliging. I shall endeavour to deserve it; for I serve her with all my heart, and I am very confident she will always have the prayers and good wishes of this country.

You have forgot to order Hodges to send me a draught of a stable, as I directed him, for the lodge; for it ought not to be made use of till the after it is built; and as I see you set your year heart on that place, I should be glad all conveniencies were about it,"

CHAPTER 23.

1704.

Defensive dispositions of the elector of Bavaria.-Defeat of his troops on the Schellenberg. Misunderstanding between Marlborough and the margrave of Baden. - Letter from the emperor on the victory.

THE advance of the confederates towards the camp of the enemy, indicated the developement of the plan to secure Donawerth as a place of arms for the invasion of Bavaria. The gallo-bavarian army occupied a formidable position between Lawingen and Dillingen, with the Danube in the rear, and the front strongly fortified and covered with inundations. To secure the passage leading through Donawerth, the elector detached general d'Arco, with 10,000 infantry and 2500 cavalry, to occupy the Schellenberg, a commanding height north of the Danube. By this skilful disposition, he hoped to cover his own dominions, and hold the confederates in check, till he could receive the additional reinforcements which he expected from France.

Marlborough penetrated the design, and became doubly anxious to realise his plan. After a conference with the margrave, he extorted his consent to advance with the army, and resolved to profit by the alternation of the command on the ensuing