necessary to sustain an army, should be conveyed into places of security, either in the mountains, or thereabouts. These three ways thus precautiously secured, what had the Earl to apprehend but the safety of the Archduke; which yet was through no default of his, if in any danger from the siege?

For I well remember, on receipt of an express from the Duke of Savoy, (as he frequently sent such to enquire after the proceedings in Spain,) I was shewed a letter, wrote about this time by the Earl of Peterborow to that Prince, which raised my spirits, though then at a very low ebb. It was too remarkable to be forgot; and the substance of it was, that his highness might depend upon it, that he (the Earl) was in much better circumstances than he was thought to be: That the French officers knowing nothing of the situation of the country, would find themselves extremely disappointed, since, in case the siege was raised, their army should be obliged to

abandon Spain: Or, in case the town was taken, they should find themselves shut up in that corner of Catalonia, and under an impossibility of forcing their way back, either through Arragon or Valencia: That by this means, all Spain, to the Ebro, would be open to the Lord Galoway, who might march to Madrid, or any where else, without opposition. That he had no other uneasiness or concern upon him, but for the person of the Archduke, whom he had nevertheless earnestly solicited not to remain in the town on the very first appearance of the intended siege.

Barcelona being thus relieved, and King Philip forced out of Spain, by these cautious steps taken by the Earl of Peterborow, before we bring him to Valencia, it will be necessary to intimate, that, as it always was the custom of that General to settle, by a council of war, all the measures to be taken, whenever he was obliged for the service to leave the Archduke; a council of war was now accordingly held, where all

the general officers, and those in greatest employments at court, assisted. Here every thing was in the most solemn manner concerted and resolved upon; here garrisons were settled for all the strong places, and governors appointed: but the main article then agreed upon was, that King Charles should immediately begin his journey to Madrid, and that by the way of Valencia. The reason assigned for it was, because that kingdom being in his possession, no difficulties could arise which might occasion delay, if his Majesty took that route. was likewise agreed in the same council, that the Earl of Peterborow should embark all the foot, not in garrisons, for their more speedy, as well as more easy conveyance to Valencia. The same council of war agreed, that all the horse in that kingdom should be drawn together; the better to insure the measures to be taken for the

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ing and facilitating his Majesty's progress to Madrid.

Accordingly, after these resolutions were taken, the Earl of Peterborow embarks his forces, and sails for Valencia, where he was doubly welcomed by all sorts of people, upon account of his safe arrival, and the news he brought along with it. By the joy they expressed, one would have imagined that the General had escaped the same danger with the King; and, in truth, had their King arrived with him in person, the most loyal and zealous would have found themselves at a loss how to have expressed their satisfaction in a more sensible man

ner.

Soon after his landing, with his customary vivacity, he applied himself to put in execution the resolutions taken in the councils of war at Barcelona; and, a little to improve upon them, he raised an entire regiment of dragoons, bought them horses, provided them clothes, arms, and accoutrements; and in six weeks time had them ready to take the field; a thing, though hardly to be paralleled, is yet scarce wor

thy to be mentioned among so many nobler actions of his; yet, in regard to another General, it may merit notice, since, while he had Madrid in possession near four months, he neither augmented his troops, nor laid up any magazines; neither sent he all that time any one express to concert any measures with the Earl of Peterborow; but lay under a perfect inactivity, or which was worse, negotiating that unfortunate project of carrying King Charles to Madrid, by the round about and ill-concerted way of Arragon; a project not only contrary to the solemn resolutions of the council of war, but which, in reality, was the root of all our succeeding misfortunes; and that only for the wretched vanity of appearing to have had some share in bringing the King to his capital; but how minute a share it was, will be manifest, if it be considered that another General had first made the way easy, by driving the enemy out of Spain; and that the French General only staid at Madrid till the return of those