Thequestionwascertainlyverycomplicated。Thatclaimwhich，accordingtotheordinaryrulesofinheritance，wasthestrongest，hadbeenbarredbyacontractexecutedinthemostbindingform。TheclaimoftheElectoralPrinceofBavariawasweaker。Butsoalsowasthecontractwhichboundhimnottoprosecutehisclaim。Theonlypartyagainstwhomnoinstrumentofrenunciationcouldbeproducedwasthepartywho，inrespectofblood，hadtheweakestclaimofall。
AsitwasclearthatgreatalarmwouldbeexcitedthroughoutEuropeifeithertheEmperorortheDauphinshouldbecomeKingofSpain，eachofthosePrincesofferedtowaivehispretensionsinfavourofhissecondson，theEmperor，infavouroftheArchdukeCharles，theDauphin，infavourofPhilipDukeofAnjou。
SoonafterthepeaceofRyswick，WilliamtheThirdandLewistheFourteenthdeterminedtosettlethequestionofthesuccessionwithoutconsultingeitherCharlesortheEmperor。France，England，andHolland，becamepartiestoatreatybywhichitwasstipulatedthattheElectoralPrinceofBavariashouldsucceedtoSpain，theIndies，andtheNetherlands。TheImperialfamilyweretobeboughtoffwiththeMilanese;andtheDauphinwastohavetheTwoSicilies。
ThegreatobjectoftheKingofSpainandofallhiscounsellorswastoavertthedismembermentofthemonarchy。Inthehopeofattainingthisend，Charlesdeterminedtonameasuccessor。A
willwasaccordinglyframedbywhichthecrownwasbequeathedtotheBavarianPrince。Unhappily，thiswillhadscarcelybeensignedwhenthePrincedied。Thequestionwasagainunsettled，andpresentedgreaterdifficultiesthanbefore。
AnewTreatyofPartitionwasconcludedbetweenFrance，England，andHolland。ItwasagreedthatSpain，theIndies，andtheNetherlands，shoulddescendtotheArchdukeCharles。InreturnforthisgreatconcessionmadebytheBourbonstoarivalhouse，itwasagreedthatFranceshouldhavetheMilanese，oranequivalentinamorecommodioussituation，TheequivalentinviewwastheprovinceofLorraine。
Arbuthnot，someyearslater，ridiculedthePartitionTreatywithexquisitehumourandingenuity。EverybodymustrememberhisdescriptionoftheparoxysmofrageintowhichpooroldLordStruttfell，onhearingthathisrunawayservantNickFrog，hisclothierJohnBull，andhisoldenemyLewisBaboon，hadcomewithquadrants，poles，andinkhorns，tosurveyhisestate，andtodrawhiswillforhim。LordMahonspeaksofthearrangementwithgraveseverity。Hecallsit\"aniniquitouscompact，concludedwithouttheslightestreferencetothewelfareofthestatessoreadilyparcelledandallotted;insultingtotheprideofSpain，andtendingtostripthatcountryofitshard—wonconquests。\"ThemostseriouspartofthischargewouldapplytohalfthetreatieswhichhavebeenconcludedinEuropequiteasstronglyastothePartitionTreaty。WhatregardwasshownintheTreatyofthePyreneestothewelfareofthepeopleofDunkirkandRoussillon，intheTreatyofNimeguentothewelfareofthepeopleofFrancheComte，intheTreatyofUtrechttothewelfareofthepeopleofFlanders，inthetreatyof1735tothewelfareofthepeopleofTuscany？AllEuroperemembers，andourlatestposteritywill，wefear，havereasontorememberhowcoolly，atthelastgreatpacificationofChristendom，thepeopleofPoland，ofNorway，ofBelgium，andofLombardy，wereallottedtomasterswhomtheyabhorred。ThestatesmenwhonegotiatedthePartitionTreatywerenotsofarbeyondtheirageandoursinwisdomandvirtueastotroublethemselvesmuchaboutthehappinessofthepeoplewhomtheywereapportioningamongforeignrulers。ButitwillbedifficulttoprovethatthestipulationswhichLordMahoncondemnswereinanyrespectunfavourabletothehappinessofthosewhoweretobetransferredtonewsovereigns。TheNeapolitanswouldcertainlyhavelostnothingbybeinggiventotheDauphin，ortotheGreatTurk。Addison，whovisitedNaplesaboutthetimeatwhichthePartitionTreatywassigned，hasleftusafrightfuldescriptionofthemisgovernmentunderwhichthatpartoftheSpanishEmpiregroaned。AstothepeopleofLorraine，anunionwithFrancewouldhavebeenthehappiesteventwhichcouldhavebefallenthem。Lewiswasalreadytheirsovereignforallpurposesofcrueltyandexaction。Hehadkepttheircountryduringmanyyearsinhisownhands。AtthepeaceofRyswick，indeed，theirDukehadbeenallowedtoreturn。ButtheconditionswhichhadbeenimposedonhimmadehimamerevassalofFrance。
WecannotadmitthattheTreatyofPartitionwasobjectionablebecauseit\"tendedtostripSpainofhard—wonconquests。\"Theinheritancewassovast，andtheclaimantssomighty，thatwithoutsomedismembermentitwasscarcelypossibletomakeapeaceablearrangement。Ifanydismembermentwastotakeplace，thebestwayofeffectingitsurelywastoseparatefromthemonarchythoseprovinceswhichwereatagreatdistancefromSpain，whichwerenotSpanishinmanners，inlanguage，orinfeelings，whichwerebothworsegovernedandlessvaluablethantheoldkingdomsofCastileandArragon，andwhich，havingalwaysbeengovernedbyforeigners，wouldnotbelikelytofeelacutelythehumiliationofbeingturnedoverfromonemastertoanother。
ThatEnglandandHollandhadarighttointerfereisplain。ThequestionoftheSpanishsuccessionwasnotaninternalquestion，butanEuropeanquestion。AndthisLordMahonadmits。Hethinksthatwhentheevilhadbeendone，andaFrenchprincewasreigningattheEscurial，EnglandandHollandwerejustifiedinattempting，notmerelytostripSpainofitsremotedependencies，buttoconquerSpainitself;thattheywerejustifiedinattemptingtoput，notmerelythepassiveFlemingsandItalians，butthereluctantCastiliansandAsturians，underthedominionofastranger。ThedangeragainstwhichthePartitionTreatywasintendedtoguardwaspreciselythesamedangerwhichafterwardswasmadethegroundofwar。Itwillbedifficulttoprovethatadangerwhichwassufficienttojustifythewarwasinsufficienttojustifytheprovisionsofthetreaty。If，asLordMahoncontends，itwasbetterthatSpainshouldbesubjugatedbymainforcethanthatsheshouldbegovernedbyaBourbon，itwassurelybetterthatsheshouldbedeprivedofSicilyandtheMilanesethanthatsheshouldbegovernedbyaBourbon。
Whetherthetreatywasjudiciouslyframedisquiteanotherquestion。Wedisapproveofthestipulations。Butwedisapproveofthem，notbecausewethinkthembad，butbecausewethinkthattherewasnochanceoftheirbeingexecuted。Lewiswasthemostfaithlessofpoliticians。HehatedtheDutch。HehatedtheGovernmentwhichtheRevolutionhadestablishedinEngland。Hehadeverydispositiontoquarrelwithhisnewallies。Itwasquitecertainthathewouldnotobservehisengagements，ifitshouldbeforhisinteresttoviolatethem。Evenifitshouldbeforhisinteresttoobservethem，itmightwellbedoubtedwhetherthestrongestandclearestinterestwouldinduceamansohaughtyandself—willedtoco—operateheartilywithtwogovernmentswhichhadalwaysbeentheobjectsofhisscornandaversion。
WhenintelligenceofthesecondPartitionTreatyarrivedatMadrid，itrousedtomomentaryenergythelanguishingrulerofalanguishingstate。TheSpanishambassadorattheCourtofLondonwasdirectedtoremonstratewiththeGovernmentofWilliam;andhisremonstrancesweresoinsolentthathewascommandedtoleaveEngland。CharlesretaliatedbydismissingtheEnglishandDutchambassadors。TheFrenchKing，thoughthechiefauthorofthePartitionTreaty，succeededinturningthewholewrathofCharlesandoftheSpanishpeoplefromhimself，andindirectingitagainstthetwomaritimepowers。ThosepowershadnownoagentatMadrid。Theirperfidiousallywasatlibertytocarryonhisintriguesunchecked;andhefullyavailedhimselfofthisadvantage。
AlongcontestwasmaintainedwithvaryingsuccessbythefactionswhichsurroundedthemiserableKing。OnthesideoftheImperialfamilywastheQueen，herselfaPrincessofthatfamily。
WithherwerealliedtheconfessoroftheKing，andmostoftheministers。Ontheothersideweretwoofthemostdexterouspoliticiansofthatage，CardinalPortoCarrero，ArchbishopofToledo，andHarcourt，theambassadorofLewis。
HarcourtwasanoblespecimenoftheFrencharistocracyinthedaysofitshighestsplendour，afinishedgentleman，abravesoldier，andaskilfuldiplomatist。Hiscourteousandinsinuatingmanners，hisParisianvivacitytemperedwithCastiliangravity，madehimthefavouriteofthewholeCourt。Hebecameintimatewiththegrandees。Hecaressedtheclergy。Hedazzledthemultitudebyhismagnificentstyleofliving。TheprejudiceswhichthepeopleofMadridhadconceivedagainsttheFrenchcharacter，thevindictivefeelingsgeneratedduringcenturiesofnationalrivalry，graduallyyieldedtohisarts;whiletheAustrianambassador，asurly，pompous，niggardlyGerman，madehimselfandhiscountrymoreandmoreunpopulareveryday。
HarcourtwonovertheCourtandthecity:PortoCarreromanagedtheKing。Neverwereknaveanddupebettersuitedtoeachother。
Charleswassick，nervous，andextravagantlysuperstitious。PortoCarrerohadlearnedintheexerciseofhisprofessiontheartofexcitingandsoothingsuchminds;andheemployedthatartwiththecalmanddemurecrueltywhichisthecharacteristicofwickedandambitiouspriests。
Hefirstsupplantedtheconfessor。ThestateofthepoorKing，duringtheconflictbetweenhistwospiritualadvisers，washorrible。AtonetimehewasinducedtobelievethathismaladywasthesamewiththatofthewretchesdescribedintheNewTestament，whodweltamongthetombs，whomnochainscouldbind，andwhomnomandaredtoapproach。AtanothertimeasorceresswholivedinthemountainsoftheAsturiaswasconsultedabouthismalady。Severalpersonswereaccusedofhavingbewitchedhim。
PortoCarrerorecommendedtheappallingriteofexorcism，whichwasactuallyperformed。TheceremonymadethepoorKingmorenervousandmiserablethanever。ButitservedtheturnoftheCardinal，who，aftermuchsecrettrickery，succeededincastingout，notthedevil，buttheconfessor。
Thenextobjectwastogetridoftheministers。Madridwassuppliedwithprovisionsbyamonopoly。TheGovernmentlookedafterthismostdelicateconcernasitlookedaftereverythingelse。ThepartisansoftheHouseofBourbontookadvantageofthenegligenceoftheadministration。Onasuddenthesupplyoffoodfailed。Exorbitantpricesweredemanded。Thepeoplerose。Theroyalresidencewassurroundedbyanimmensemultitude。TheQueenharanguedthem。Thepriestsexhibitedthehost。Allwasinvain。
ItwasnecessarytoawakentheKingfromhisuneasysleep，andtocarryhimtothebalcony。ThereasolemnpromisewasgiventhattheunpopularadvisersoftheCrownshouldbeforthwithdismissed。Themobleftthepalaceandproceededtopulldownthehousesoftheministers。TheadherentsoftheAustrianlinewerethusdrivenfrompower，andthegovernmentwasintrustedtothecreaturesofPortoCarrero。TheKingleftthecityinwhichhehadsufferedsocruelaninsultforthemagnificentretreatoftheEscurial。Herehishypochondriacfancytookanewturn。LikehisancestorCharlestheFifth，hewashauntedbythestrangecuriositytopryintothesecretsofthatgravetowhichhewashastening。InthecemeterywhichPhiliptheSecondhadformedbeneaththepavementofthechurchofSt。Lawrence，reposedthreegenerationsofCastilianprinces。Intothesedarkvaultstheunhappymonarchdescendedbytorchlight，andpenetratedtothatsuperbandgloomychamberwhere，roundthegreatblackcrucifix，wererangedthecoffinsofthekingsandqueensofSpain。Therehecommandedhisattendantstoopenthemassychestsofbronzeinwhichtherelicsofhispredecessorsdecayed。Helookedontheghastlyspectaclewithlittleemotiontillthecoffinofhisfirstwifewasunclosed，andsheappearedbeforehim——suchwastheskilloftheembalmer——inallherwell—rememberedbeauty。Hecastoneglanceonthosebelovedfeatures，unseenforeighteenyears，thosefeaturesoverwhichcorruptionseemedtohavenopower，andrushedfromthevault，exclaiming，\"SheiswithGod;
andIshallsoonbewithher。\"Theawfulsightcompletedtheruinofhisbodyandmind。TheEscurialbecamehatefultohim;andhehastenedtoAranjuez。Buttheshadesandwatersofthatdeliciousisland—garden，sofondlycelebratedinthesparklingverseofCalderon，broughtnosolacetotheirunfortunatemaster。Havingtriedmedicine，exercise，andamusementin，vain，hereturnedtoMadridtodie。
HewasnowbesetoneverysidebytheboldandskilfulagentsoftheHouseofBourbon。TheleadingpoliticiansofhisCourtassuredhimthatLewis，andLewisalone，wassufficientlypowerfultopreservetheSpanishmonarchyundivided，andthatAustriawouldbeutterlyunabletopreventtheTreatyofPartitionfrombeingcarriedintoeffect。SomecelebratedlawyersgaveitastheiropinionthattheactofrenunciationexecutedbythelateQueenofFranceoughttobeconstruedaccordingtothespirit，andnotaccordingtotheletter。TheletterundoubtedlyexcludedtheFrenchprinces。Thespiritwasmerelythis，thatamplesecurityshouldbetakenagainsttheunionoftheFrenchandSpanishCrownsononehead。
Inallprobability，neitherpoliticalnorlegalreasoningswouldhavesufficedtoovercomethepartialitywhichCharlesfeltfortheHouseofAustria。TherehadalwaysbeenacloseconnectionbetweenthetwogreatroyallineswhichsprangfromthemarriageofPhilipandJuana。BothhadalwaysregardedtheFrenchastheirnaturalenemies。Itwasnecessarytohaverecoursetoreligiousterrors;andPortoCarreroemployedthoseterrorswithtrueprofessionalskill。TheKing’slifewasdrawingtoaclose。WouldthemostCatholicprincecommitagreatsinonthebrinkofthegrave？Andwhatcouldbeagreatersinthan，fromanunreasonableattachmenttoafamilyname，fromanunchristianantipathytoarivalhouse，tosetasidetherightfulheirofanimmensemonarchy？ThetenderconscienceandthefeebleintellectofCharleswerestronglywroughtuponbytheseappeals。AtlengthPortoCarreroventuredonamaster—stroke。HeadvisedCharlestoapplyforcounseltothePope。TheKing，who，inthesimplicityofhisheart，consideredthesuccessorofSt。Peterasaninfallibleguideinspiritualmatters，adoptedthesuggestion;
andPortoCarrero，whoknewthathisHolinesswasameretoolofFrance，awaitedwithperfectconfidencetheresultoftheapplication。IntheanswerwhicharrivedfromRome，theKingwassolemnlyremindedofthegreataccountwhichhewassoontorender，andcautionedagainsttheflagrantinjusticewhichhewastemptedtocommit。HewasassuredthattherightwaswiththeHouseofBourbon，andremindedthathisownsalvationoughttobedearertohimthantheHouseofAustria。Yethestillcontinuedirresolute。Hisattachmenttohisfamily，hisaversiontoFrance，werenottobeovercomeevenbyPapalauthority。Atlengthhethoughthimselfactuallydying。Thenthecardinalredoubledhisefforts。Divineafterdivine，welltutoredfortheoccasion，wasbroughttothebedofthetremblingpenitent。Hewasdyinginthecommissionofknownsin。Hewasdefraudinghisrelatives。Hewasbequeathingcivilwartohispeople。Heyielded，andsignedthatmemorabletestament，thecauseofmanycalamitiestoEurope。Asheaffixedhisnametotheinstrument，heburstintotears。
\"God，\"hesaid，\"giveskingdomsandtakesthemaway。Iamalreadyoneofthedead。\"
Thewillwaskeptsecretduringtheshortremainderofhislife。
OnthethirdofNovember1700heexpired。AllMadridcrowdedtothepalace。Thegateswerethronged。Theantechamberwasfilledwithambassadorsandgrandees，eagertolearnwhatdispositionsthedeceasedsovereignhadmade。Atlengththefoldingdoorswereflungopen。TheDukeofAbrantescameforth，andannouncedthatthewholeSpanishmonarchywasbequeathedtoPhilip，DukeofAnjou。Charleshaddirectedthat，duringtheintervalwhichmightelapsebetweenhisdeathandthearrivalofhissuccessor，thegovernmentshouldbeadministeredbyacouncil，ofwhichPortoCarrerowasthechiefmember。
Lewisacted，astheEnglishministersmighthaveguessedthathewouldact。Withscarcelytheshowofhesitation，hebrokethroughalltheobligationsofthePartitionTreaty，andacceptedforhisgrandsonthesplendidlegacyofCharles。Thenewsovereignhastenedtotakepossessionofhisdominions。ThewholeCourtofFranceaccompaniedhimtoSceaux。Hisbrothersescortedhimtothatfrontierwhich，astheyweaklyimagined，wastobeafrontiernolonger。\"ThePyrenees，\"saidLewis，\"haveceasedtoexist。\"ThoseveryPyrenees，afewyearslater，werethetheatreofawarbetweentheheirofLewisandtheprincewhomFrancewasnowsendingtogovernSpain。
IfCharleshadransackedEuropetofindasuccessorwhosemoralandintellectualcharacterresembledhisown，hecouldnothavechosenbetter。Philipwasnotsosicklyashispredecessor，buthewasquiteasweak，asindolent，andassuperstitious;heverysoonbecamequiteashypochondriacalandeccentric;andhewasevenmoreuxorious。Hewasindeedahusbandoftenthousand。Hisfirstobject，whenhebecameKingofSpain，wastoprocureawife。Fromthedayofhismarriagetothedayofherdeath，hisfirstobjectwastohavehernearhim，andtodowhatshewished。
Assoonashiswifedied，hisfirstobjectwastoprocureanother。Anotherwasfound，asunliketheformeraspossible。Butshewasawife;andPhilipwascontent。Neitherbydaynorbynight，neitherinsicknessnorinhealth，neitherintimeofbusinessnorintimeofrelaxation，didheeversufferhertobeabsentfromhimforhalfanhour。Hismindwasnaturallyfeeble;
andhehadreceivedanenfeeblingeducation。HehadbeenbroughtupamidstthedullmagnificenceofVersailles。Hisgrandfatherwasasimperiousandasostentatiousinhisintercoursewiththeroyalfamilyasinpublicacts。AllthosewhogrewupimmediatelyundertheeyeofLewishadthemannersofpersonswhohadneverknownwhatitwastobeatease。Theywerealltaciturn，shy，andawkward。Inallofthem，excepttheDukeofBurgundy，theevilwentfurtherthanthemanners。TheDauphin，theDukeOfBerri，PhilipofAnjou，weremenofinsignificantcharacters。
Theyhadnoenergy，noforceofwill。Theyhadbeensolittleaccustomedtojudgeortoactforthemselvesthatimplicitdependencehadbecomenecessarytotheircomfort。ThenewKingofSpain，emancipatedfromcontrol，resembledthatwretchedGermancaptivewho，whentheironswhichhehadwornforyearswereknockedoff，fellprostrateonthefloorofhisprison。TherestraintswhichhadenfeebledthemindoftheyoungPrincewererequiredtosupportit。Tillhehadawifehecoulddonothing;
andwhenhehadawifehedidwhatevershechose。
Whilethislounging，mopingboywasonhiswaytoMadrid，hisgrandfatherwasallactivity。LewishadnoreasontofearacontestwiththeEmpiresingle—handed。HemadevigorouspreparationstoencounterLeopold。HeoverawedtheStates—Generalbymeansofagreatarmy。HeattemptedtosoothetheEnglishGovernmentbyfairprofessions。Williamwasnotdeceived。HefullyreturnedthehatredofLewis;and，ifhehadbeenfreetoactaccordingtohisowninclinations，hewouldhavedeclaredwarassoonasthecontentsofthewillwereknown。Buthewasboundbyconstitutionalrestraints。BothhispersonandhismeasureswereunpopularinEngland。HissecludedlifeandhiscoldmannersdisgustedapeopleaccustomedtothegracefulaffabilityofCharlestheSecond。Hisforeignaccentandhisforeignattachmentswereoffensivetothenationalprejudices。Hisreignhadbeenaseasonofdistress，followingaseasonofrapidlyincreasingprosperity。Theburdensofthelatewarandtheexpenseofrestoringthecurrencyhadbeenseverelyfelt。NineclergymenoutoftenwereJacobitesatheart，andhadswornallegiancetothenewdynasty，onlyinordertosavetheirbenefices。Alargeproportionofthecountrygentlemenbelongedtothesameparty。Thewholebodyofagriculturalproprietorswashostiletothatinterestwhichthecreationofthenationaldebthadbroughtintonotice，andwhichwasbelievedtobepeculiarlyfavouredbytheCourt，themoniedinterest。ThemiddleclasseswerefullydeterminedtokeepoutJamesandhisfamily。ButtheyregardedWilliamonlyasthelessoftwoevils;and，aslongastherewasnoimminentdangerofacounter—revolution，weredisposedtothwartandmortifythesovereignbywhomtheywere，nevertheless，readytostand，incaseofnecessity，withtheirlivesandfortunes。Theyweresullenanddissatisfied。\"Therewas，\"asSomersexpresseditinaremarkablelettertoWilliam，\"adeadnessandwantofspiritinthenationuniversally。\"
EverythinginEnglandwasgoingonasLewiscouldhavewished。
TheleadersoftheWhigpartyhadretiredfrompower，andwereextremelyunpopularonaccountoftheunfortunateissueofthePartitionTreaty。TheTories，someofwhomstillcastalingeringlooktowardsSt。Germains，wereinoffice，andhadadecidedmajorityintheHouseofCommons。WilliamwassomuchembarrassedbythestateofpartiesinEnglandthathecouldnotventuretomakewarontheHouseofBourbon。Hewassufferingunderacomplicationofsevereandincurablediseases。Therewaseveryreasontobelievethatafewmonthswoulddissolvethefragiletiewhichboundupthatfeeblebodywiththatardentandunconquerablesoul。IfLewiscouldsucceedinpreservingpeaceforashorttime，itwasprobablethatallhisvastdesignswouldbesecurelyaccomplished。Justatthiscrisis，themostimportantcrisisofhislife，hisprideandhispassionshurriedhimintoanerror，whichundidallthatfortyyearsofvictoryandintriguehaddone，whichproducedthedismembermentofthekingdomofhisgrandson，andbroughtinvasion，bankruptcy，andfamineonhisown。
JamestheSeconddiedatSt。Germains。Lewispaidhimafarewellvisit，andwassomuchmovedbythesolemnparting，andbythegriefoftheexiledqueen，that，losingsightofallconsiderationsofpolicy，andactuated，asitshouldseem，merelybycompassionandbyanotungenerousvanity，heacknowledgedthePrinceofWalesasKingofEngland。
TheindignationwhichtheCastilianshadfeltwhentheyheardthatthreeforeignpowershadundertakentoregulatetheSpanishsuccessionwasnothingtotheragewithwhichtheEnglishlearnedthattheirgoodneighbourhadtakenthetroubletoprovidethemwithaking。WhigsandToriesjoinedincondemningtheproceedingsoftheFrenchCourt。ThecryforwarwasraisedbythecityofLondon，andechoedandre—echoedfromeverycorneroftherealm。Williamsawthathistimewascome。Thoughhiswastedandsufferingbodycouldhardlymovewithoutsupport，hisspiritwasasenergeticandresoluteaswhen，attwenty—three，hebadedefiancetothecombinedforcesofEnglandandFrance。HelefttheHague，wherehehadbeenengagedinnegotiatingwiththeStatesandtheEmperoradefensivetreatyagainsttheambitiousdesignsoftheBourbons。HeflewtoLondon。HeremodelledtheMinistry。HedissolvedtheParliament。ThemajorityofthenewHouseofCommonswaswiththeKing;andthemostvigorouspreparationsweremadeforwar。
BeforethecommencementofactivehostilitiesWilliamwasnomore。ButtheGrandAllianceoftheEuropeanPrincesagainsttheBourbonswasalreadyconstructed。\"Themasterworkmandied，\"saysMr。Burke;\"buttheworkwasformedontruemechanicalprinciples，anditwasastrulywrought。\"OnthefifteenthofMay，1702，warwasproclaimedbyconcertatVienna，atLondon，andattheHague。
ThuscommencedthatgreatstrugglebywhichEurope，fromtheVistulatotheAtlanticOcean，wasagitatedduringtwelveyears。
Thetwohostilecoalitionswere，inrespectofterritory，wealth，andpopulation，notunequallymatched。OntheonesidewereFrance，Spain，andBavaria;ontheother，England，Holland，theEmpire，andacrowdofinferiorPowers。
ThatpartofthewarwhichLordMahonhasundertakentorelate，thoughnottheleastimportant，iscertainlytheleastattractive。InItaly，inGermany，andintheNetherlands，greatmeanswereatthedisposalofgreatgenerals。Mightybattleswerefought。Fortressafterfortresswassubdued。TheironchainoftheBelgianstrongholdswasbroken。Byaregularandconnectedseriesofoperationsextendingthroughseveralyears，theFrenchweredrivenbackfromtheDanubeandthePointotheirownprovinces。ThewarinSpain，onthecontrary，ismadeupofeventswhichseemtohavenodependenceoneachother。Theturnsoffortuneresemblethosewhichtakeplaceinadream。Victoryanddefeatarenotfollowedbytheirusualconsequences。Armiesspringoutofnothing，andmeltintonothing。Yet，tojudiciousreadersofhistory，theSpanishconflictisperhapsmoreinterestingthanthecampaignsofMarlboroughandEugene。ThefateoftheMilaneseandoftheLowCountrieswasdecidedbymilitaryskill。ThefateofSpainwasdecidedbythepeculiaritiesofthenationalcharacter。
Whenthewarcommenced，theyoungKingwasinamostdeplorablesituation。OnhisarrivalatMadrid，hefoundPortoCarreroattheheadofaffairs，andhedidnotthinkfittodisplacethemantowhomheowedhiscrown。TheCardinalwasamereintriguer，andinnosenseastatesman。Hehadacquired，intheCourtandintheconfessional，araredegreeofskillinallthetricksbywhich。
weakmindsaremanaged。Butofthenoblescienceofgovernment，ofthesourcesofnationalprosperity，ofthecausesofnationaldecay，heknewnomorethanhismaster。Itiscurioustoobservethecontrastbetweenthedexteritywithwhichheruledtheconscienceofafoolishvaletudinarian，andtheimbecilitywhichheshowedwhenplacedattheheadofanempire。OnwhatgroundsLordMahonrepresentstheCardinalasaman\"ofsplendidgenius，\"
\"ofvastabilities，\"weareunabletodiscover。Lewiswasofaverydifferentopinion，andLewiswasveryseldommistakeninhisjudgmentofcharacter。\"Everybody，\"sayshe，inalettertohisambassador，\"knowshowincapabletheCardinalis。Heisanobjectofcontempttohiscountrymen。\"
Afewmiserablesavingsweremade，whichruinedindividualswithoutproducinganyperceptiblebenefittotheState。Thepolicebecamemoreandmoreinefficient。ThedisordersofthecapitalwereincreasedbythearrivalofFrenchadventurers，therefuseofParisianbrothelsandgaming—houses。ThesewretchesconsideredtheSpaniardsasasubjugatedracewhomthecountrymenofthenewsovereignmightcheatandinsultwithimpunity。TheKingsateeatinganddrinkingallnight，layinbedallday，yawnedatthecounciltable，andsufferedthemostimportantpaperstolieunopenedforweeks。Atlengthhewasrousedbytheonlyexcitementofwhichhissluggishnaturewassusceptible。Hisgrandfatherconsentedtolethimhaveawife。Thechoicewasfortunate。MariaLouisa，PrincessofSavoy，abeautifulandgracefulgirlofthirteen，alreadyawomaninpersonandmindatanagewhenthefemalesofcolderclimatesarestillchildren，wasthepersonselected。TheKingresolvedtogiveherthemeetinginCatalonia。Helefthiscapital，ofwhichhewasalreadythoroughlytired。Atsettingouthewasmobbedbyagangofbeggars。He，however，madehiswaythroughthem，andrepairedtoBarcelona。
LewiswasperfectlyawarethattheQueenwouldgovernPhilip。He，accordingly，lookedaboutforsomebodytogoverntheQueen。HeselectedthePrincessOrsinitobefirstladyofthebedchamber，noinsignificantpostinthehouseholdofaveryyoungwife，andaveryuxorioushusband。ThePrincesswasthedaughterofaFrenchpeer，andthewidowofaSpanishgrandee。Shewas，therefore，admirablyfittedbyherpositiontobetheinstrumentoftheCourtofVersaillesattheCourtofMadrid。TheDukeofOrleanscalledher，inwordstoocoarsefortranslation，theLieutenantofCaptainMaintenon:andtheappellationwaswelldeserved。SheaspiredtoplayinSpainthepartwhichMadamedeMaintenonhadplayedinFrance。But，thoughatleastequaltohermodelinwit，information，andtalentsforintrigue，shehadnotthatself—command，thatpatience，thatimperturbableevennessoftemper，whichhadraisedthewidowofabuffoontobetheconsortoftheproudestofkings。ThePrincesswasmorethanfiftyyearsold，butwasstillvainofherfineeyes，andherfineshape;
shestilldressedinthestyleofagirl;andshestillcarriedherflirtationssofarastogiveoccasionforscandal。Shewas，however，polite，eloquent，andnotdeficientinstrengthofmind。
ThebitterSaintSimonownsthatnopersonwhomshewishedtoattachcouldlongresistthegracesofhermannersandofherconversation。
Wehavenottimetorelatehowsheobtained，andhowshepreserved，herempireovertheyoungcoupleinwhosehouseholdshewasplaced，howshebecamesopowerful，thatneitherministerofSpainnorambassadorfromFrancecouldstandagainsther，howLewishimselfwascompelledtocourther，howshereceivedordersfromVersaillestoretire，howtheQueentookpartwithherfavouriteattendant，howtheKingtookpartwiththeQueen，andhow，aftermuchsquabbling，lying，shuffling，bullying，andcoaxing，thedisputewasadjusted。Weturntotheeventsofthewar。
WhenhostilitieswereproclaimedatLondon，Vienna，andtheHague，PhilipwasatNaples。Hehadbeenwithgreatdifficultyprevailedupon，bythemosturgentrepresentationsfromVersailles，toseparatehimselffromhiswife，andtorepairwithouthertohisItaliandominions，whichwerethenmenacedbytheEmperor。TheQueenactedasRegent，and，childasshewas，seemstohavebeenquiteascompetenttogovernthekingdomasherhusbandoranyofhisministers。
InAugust1702，anarmament，underthecommandoftheDukeofOrmond，appearedoffCadiz。TheSpanishauthoritieshadnofundsandnoregulartroops。Thenationalspirit，however，supplied，insomedegree，whatwaswanting。Thenoblesandfarmersadvancedmoney。ThepeasantrywereformedintowhattheSpanishwriterscallbandsofheroicpatriots，andwhatGeneralStanhopecalls\"arascallyfootmilitia。\"Iftheinvadershadactedwithvigourandjudgment，Cadizwouldprobablyhavefallen。Butthechiefsoftheexpeditionweredividedbynationalandprofessionalfeelings，DutchagainstEnglish，andlandagainstsea。Sparre，theDutchgeneral，wassulkyandperverse。Bellasys，theEnglishgeneral，embezzledthestores。LordMahonimputestheill—temperofSparretotheinfluenceoftherepublicaninstitutionsofHolland。Byparityofreason，wesupposethathewouldimputethepeculationsofBellasystotheinfluenceofthemonarchicalandaristocraticalinstitutionsofEngland。TheDukeofOrmond，whohadthecommandofthewholeexpedition，provedonthisoccasion，asoneveryother，destituteofthequalitieswhichgreatemergenciesrequire。Nodisciplinewaskept;thesoldiersweresufferedtorobandinsultthosewhomitwasmostdesirabletoconciliate。Churcheswererobbed，imageswerepulleddown;nunswereviolated。Theofficerssharedthespoilinsteadofpunishingthespoilers;andatlastthearmament，loaded，tousethewordsofStanhope，\"withagreatdealofplunderandinfamy，\"quittedthesceneofEssex’sglory，leavingtheonlySpaniardofnotewhohaddeclaredforthemtobehangedbyhiscountrymen。ThefleetwasoffthecoastofPortugal，onthewaybacktoEngland，whentheDukeofOrmondreceivedintelligencethatthetreasure—shipsfromAmericahadjustarrivedinEurope，andhad，inordertoavoidhisarmament，repairedtotheharbourofVigo。Thecargoconsisted，itwassaid，ofmorethanthreemillionssterlingingoldandsilver，besidesmuchvaluablemerchandise。Theprospectofplunderreconciledalldisputes。DutchandEnglishadmiralsandgenerals，wereequallyeagerforaction。TheSpaniardsmightwiththegreatesteasehavesecuredthetreasurebysimplylandingit;butitwasafundamentallawofSpanishtradethatthegalleonsshouldunloadatCadiz，andatCadizonly。TheChamberofCommerceatCadiz，inthetruespiritofmonopoly，refused，evenatthisconjuncture，tobateonejotofitsprivilege。ThematterwasreferredtotheCounciloftheIndies。
Thatbodydeliberatedandhesitatedjustadaytoolong。Somefeeblepreparationsfordefenceweremade。TworuinedtowersatthemouthofthebayofVigoweregarrisonedbyafewill—armedanduntrainedrustics;aboomwasthrownacrosstheentranceofthebasin;andafewFrenchshipsofwar，whichhadconvoyedthegalleonsfromAmerica，weremooredwithin。Butallwastonopurpose。TheEnglishshipsbroketheboom;Ormondandhissoldiersscaledtheforts;theFrenchburnedtheirships，andescapedtotheshore。Theconquerorssharedsomemillionsofdollars;somemillionsmoreweresunk。Whenallthegalleonshadbeencapturedordestroyedcameanorderindueformallowingthemtounload。
WhenPhilipreturnedtoMadridinthebeginningof1703，hefoundthefinancesmoreembarrassed，thepeoplemorediscontentedandthehostilecoalitionmoreformidablethanever。Thelossofthegalleonshadoccasionedagreatdeficiencyintherevenue。TheAdmiralofCastile，oneofthegreatestsubjectsinEurope，hadfledtoLisbonandswornallegiancetotheArchduke。TheKingofPortugalsoonafteracknowledgedCharlesasKingofSpain，andpreparedtosupportthetitleoftheHouseofAustriabyarms。
Ontheotherside，Lewissenttotheassistanceofhisgrandsonanarmyof12，000men，commandedbytheDukeofBerwick。BerwickwasthesonofJamestheSecondandArabellaChurchill。HehadbeenbroughtuptoexpectthehighesthonourswhichanEnglishsubjectcouldenjoy;butthewholecourseofhislifewaschangedbytherevolutionwhichoverthrewhisinfatuatedfather。Berwickbecameanexile，amanwithoutacountry;andfromthattimeforwardhiscampwastohimintheplaceofacountry，andprofessionalhonourwashispatriotism。Heennobledhiswretchedcalling。Therewasastern，cold，Brutus—likevirtueinthemannerinwhichhedischargedthedutiesofasoldieroffortune。
Hismilitaryfidelitywastriedbythestrongesttemptations，andwasfoundinvincible。Atonetimehefoughtagainsthisuncle;atanothertimehefoughtagainstthecauseofhisbrother;yethewasneversuspectedoftreacheryorevenofslackness。
Earlyin1704anarmy，composedofEnglish，Dutch，andPortuguese，wasassembledonthewesternfrontierofSpain。TheArchdukeCharleshadarrivedatLisbon，andappearedinpersonattheheadofhistroops。ThemilitaryskillofBerwickheldtheAllies，whowerecommandedbyLordGalway，incheckthroughthewholecampaign。Onthesouth，however，agreatblowwasstruck。
AnEnglishfleet，underSirGeorgeRooke，havingonboardseveralregimentscommandedbythePrinceofHesseDarmstadt，appearedbeforetherockofGibraltar。Thatcelebratedstronghold，whichnaturehasmadeallbutimpregnable，andagainstwhichalltheresourcesofthemilitaryarthavebeenemployedinvain，wastakenaseasilyasifithadbeenanopenvillageinaplain。Thegarrisonwenttosaytheirprayersinsteadofstandingontheirguard。AfewEnglishsailorsclimbedtherock。TheSpaniardscapitulated;andtheBritishflagwasplacedonthoserampartsfromwhichthecombinedarmiesandnaviesofFranceandSpainhaveneverbeenabletopullitdown。RookeproceededtoMalaga，gavebattleintheneighbourhoodofthatporttoaFrenchsquadron，andafteradoubtfulactionreturnedtoEngland。
Butgreatereventswereathand。TheEnglishGovernmenthaddeterminedtosendanexpeditiontoSpain，underthecommandofCharlesMordaunt，EarlofPeterborough。Thismanwas，ifnotthegreatest，yetassuredlythemostextraordinarycharacterofthatage，theKingofSwedenhimselfnotexcepted。Indeed，Peterboroughmaybedescribedasapolite，learned，andamorousCharlestheTwelfth。HiscouragehadalltheFrenchimpetuosity，andalltheEnglishsteadiness。Hisfertilityandactivityofmindwerealmostbeyondbelief。Theyappearedineverythingthathedid，inhiscampaigns，inhisnegotiations，inhisfamiliarcorrespondence，inhislightestandmostunstudiedconversation。
Hewasakindfriend，agenerousenemy，andindeportmentathoroughgentleman。Buthissplendidtalentsandvirtueswererenderedalmostuselesstohiscountry，byhislevity，hisrestlessness，hisirritability，hismorbidcravingfornoveltyandforexcitement。Hisweaknesseshadnotonlybroughthim，onmorethanoneoccasion，intoserioustrouble;buthadimpelledhimtosomeactionsaltogetherunworthyofhishumaneandnoblenature。Reposewasinsupportabletohim。HelovedtoflyroundEuropefasterthanatravellingcourier。HewasattheHagueoneweek，atViennathenext。ThenhetookafancytoseeMadrid;andhehadscarcelyreachedMadrid，whenheorderedhorsesandsetoffforCopenhagen。Noattendantscouldkeepupwithhisspeed。
Nobodilyinfirmitiescouldconfinehim。Oldage，disease，imminentdeath，producedscarcelyanyeffectonhisintrepidspirit。Justbeforeheunderwentthemosthorribleofsurgicaloperations，hisconversationwasassprightlyasthatofayoungmaninthefullvigourofhealth。Onthedayaftertheoperation，inspiteoftheentreatiesofhismedicaladvisers，hewouldsetoutonajourney。Hisfigurewasthatofaskeleton。Buthiselasticmindsupportedhimunderfatiguesandsufferingswhichseemedsufficienttobringthemostrobustmantothegrave。
Changeofemploymentwasasnecessarytohimaschangeofplace。
Helovedtodictatesixorsevenlettersatonce。Thosewhohadtotransactbusinesswithhimcomplainedthatthoughhetalkedwithgreatabilityoneverysubject，hecouldneverbekepttothepoint。\"LordPeterborough，\"saidPope，\"wouldsayveryprettyandlivelythingsinhisletters，buttheywouldberathertoogayandwandering;whereas，wereLordBolingbroketowritetoanemperor，ortoastatesman，hewouldfixonthatpointwhichwasthemostmaterial，wouldsetitinthestrongestandfiercestlight，andmanageitsoastomakeitthemostserviceabletohispurpose。\"WhatPeterboroughwastoBolingbrokeasawriter，hewastoMarlboroughasageneral。Hewas，intruth，thelastoftheknights—errant，bravetotemerity，liberaltoprofusion，courteousinhisdealingswithenemies，theProtectoroftheoppressed，theadorerofwomen。HisvirtuesandviceswerethoseoftheRoundTable。Indeed，hischaractercanhardlybebettersummedup，thaninthelinesinwhichtheauthorofthatcleverlittlepoem，MonksandGiants，hasdescribedSirTristram。
\"Hisbirth，itseems，byMerlin’scalculation，WasunderVenus，Mercury，andMars;
Hismindwithalltheirattributeswasmixed，And，likethoseplanets，wanderingandunfixed。
\"Fromrealmtorealmheran，andneverstaid:
Kingdomsandcrownshewon，andgaveaway:
ItseemedasifhislabourswererepaidBythemerenoiseandmovementofthefray:
Noconquestsoracquirementshadhemade;
Hischiefdelightwas，onsomefestivedayToridetriumphant，prodigal，andproud，Andshowerhiswealthamidsttheshoutingcrowd。
\"Hisschemesofwarweresudden，unforeseen，Inexplicablebothtofriendandfoe;
ItseemedasifsomemomentaryspleenInspiredtheproject，andimpelledtheblow;
AndmosthisfortuneandsuccesswereseenWithmeansthemostinadequateandlow;
Mostmasterofhimself，andleastencumbered，Whenovermatched，entangled，andoutnumbered。\"
InJune1705，thisremarkablemanarrivedinLisbonwithfivethousandDutchandEnglishsoldiers。TheretheArchdukeembarkedwithalargetrainofattendants，whomPeterboroughentertainedmagnificentlyduringthevoyageathisownexpense。FromLisbonthearmamentproceededtoGibraltar，and，havingtakenthePrinceofHesseDarmstadtonboard，steeredtowardsthenorth—eastalongthecoastofSpain。
Thefirstplaceatwhichtheexpeditiontouched，afterleavingGibraltar，wasAlteainValencia。ThewretchedmisgovernmentofPhiliphadexcitedgreatdiscontentthroughoutthisprovince。Theinvaderswereeagerlywelcomed。Thepeasantryflockedtotheshore，bearingprovisions，andshouting，\"LongliveCharlestheThird。\"TheneighbouringfortressofDeniasurrenderedwithoutablow。
TheimaginationofPeterboroughtookfire。Heconceivedthehopeoffinishingthewaratoneblow。Madridwasbutahundredandfiftymilesdistant。Therewasscarcelyonefortifiedplaceontheroad。ThetroopsofPhilipwereeitheronthefrontiersofPortugaloronthecoastofCatalonia。Atthecapitaltherewasnomilitaryforce，exceptafewhorsewhoformedaguardofhonourroundthepersonofPhilip。Buttheschemeofpushingintotheheartofagreatkingdomwithanarmyofonlyseventhousandmen，wastoodaringtopleasetheArchduke。
ThePrinceofHesseDarmstadt，who，inthereignofthelateKingofSpain，hadbeenGovernorofCatalonia，andwhooverratedhisowninfluenceinthatprovince，wasofopinionthattheyoughtinstantlytoproceedthither，andtoattackBarcelona，Peterboroughwashamperedbyhisinstructions，andfounditnecessarytosubmit。
OnthesixteenthofAugustthefleetarrivedbeforeBarcelona;
andPeterboroughfoundthatthetaskassignedtohimbytheArchdukeandthePrincewasoneofalmostinsuperabledifficulty。
Onesideofthecitywasprotectedbythesea;theotherbythestrongfortificationsofMonjuich。Thewallsweresoextensive，thatthirtythousandmenwouldscarcelyhavebeensufficienttoinvestthem。Thegarrisonwasasnumerousasthebesiegingarmy。
ThebestofficersintheSpanishservicewereinthetown。ThehopeswhichthePrinceofDarmstadthadformedofageneralrisinginCataloniaweregrievouslydisappointed。Theinvaderswerejoinedonlybyaboutfifteenhundredarmedpeasants，whoseservicescostmorethantheywereworth。
NogeneralwaseverinamoredeplorablesituationthanthatinwhichPeterboroughwasnowplaced。HehadalwaysobjectedtotheschemeofbesiegingBarcelona。Hisobjectionshadbeenoverruled。
Hehadtoexecuteaprojectwhichhehadconstantlyrepresentedasimpracticable。Hiscampwasdividedintohostilefactionsandhewascensuredbyall。TheArchdukeandthePrinceblamedhimfornotproceedinginstantlytotakethetown;butsuggestednoplanbywhichseventhousandmencouldbeenabledtodotheworkofthirtythousand。OthersblamedtheirgeneralforgivinguphisownopiniontothechildishwhimsofCharles，andforsacrificinghismeninanattempttoperformwhatwasimpossible。TheDutchcommanderpositivelydeclaredthathissoldiersshouldnotstir:
LordPeterboroughmightgivewhatordershechose;buttoengageinsuchasiegewasmadness;andthemenshouldnotbesenttocertaindeathwhentherewasnochanceofobtaininganyadvantage。
Atlength，afterthreeweeksofinaction，Peterboroughannouncedhisfixeddeterminationtoraisethesiege。Theheavycannonweresentonboard。Preparationsweremadeforre—embarkingthetroops。CharlesandthePrinceofHessewerefurious，butmostoftheofficersblamedtheirgeneralforhavingdelayedsolongthemeasurewhichhehadatlastfounditnecessarytotake。OnthetwelfthofSeptembertherewererejoicingsandpublicentertainmentsinBarcelonaforthisgreatdeliverance。OnthefollowingmorningtheEnglishflagwasflyingontherampartsofMonjuich。Thegeniusandenergyofonemanhadsuppliedtheplaceoffortybattalions。
AtmidnightPeterboroughhadcalledoutthePrinceofHesse，withwhomhehadnotforsometimebeenonspeakingterms，\"Ihaveresolved，sir，\"saidtheEarl，\"toattemptanassault;youmayaccompanyus，ifyouthinkfit，andseewhetherIandmymendeservewhatyouhavebeenpleasedtosayofus。\"ThePrincewasstartled。Theattempt，hesaid，washopeless;buthewasreadytotakehisshare;and，withoutfurtherdiscussion，hecalledforhishorse。
FifteenhundredEnglishsoldierswereassembledundertheEarl。A
thousandmorehadbeenpostedasabodyofreserve，ataneighbouringconvent，underthecommandofStanhope。Afterawindingmarchalongthefootofthehills，PeterboroughandhislittlearmyreachedthewallsofMonjuich。Theretheyhaltedtilldaybreak。Assoonastheyweredescried，theenemyadvancedintotheouterditchtomeetthem。ThiswastheeventonwhichPeterboroughhadreckoned，andforwhichhismenwereprepared。
TheEnglishreceivedthefire，rushedforward，leapedintotheditch，puttheSpaniardstoflight，andenteredtheworkstogetherwiththefugitives。Beforethegarrisonhadrecoveredfromtheirfirstsurprise，theEarlwasmasteroftheoutworks，hadtakenseveralpiecesofcannon，andhadthrownupabreastworktodefendhismen。HethensentoffforStanhope’sreserve。Whilehewaswaitingforthisreinforcement，newsarrivedthatthreethousandmenweremarchingfromBarcelonatowardsMonjuich。Heinstantlyrodeouttotakeaviewofthem;
butnosoonerhadhelefthistroopsthantheywereseizedwithapanic。Theirsituationwasindeedfullofdanger;theyhadbeenbroughtintoMonjuich，theyscarcelyknewhow;theirnumbersweresmall;theirgeneralwasgone:theirheartsfailedthem，andtheywereproceedingtoevacuatethefort。Peterboroughreceivedinformationoftheseoccurrencesintimetostoptheretreat。Hegallopeduptothefugitives，addressedafewwordstothem，andputhimselfattheirhead。Thesoundofhisvoiceandthesightofhisfacerestoredalltheircourage，andtheymarchedbacktotheirformerposition。
ThePrinceofHessehadfallenintheconfusionoftheassault;
buteverythingelsewentwell。Stanhopearrived;thedetachmentwhichhadmarchedoutofBarcelonaretreated;theheavycannonweredisembarked，andbroughttobearontheinnerfortificationsofMonjuich，whichspeedilyfell。Peterborough，withhisusualgenerosity，rescuedtheSpanishsoldiersfromtheferocityofhisvictoriousarmy，andpaidthelasthonourswithgreatpomptohisrivalthePrinceofHesse。
ThereductionofMonjuichwasthefirstofaseriesofbrilliantexploits。Barcelonafell;andPeterboroughhadthegloryoftaking，withahandfulofmen，oneofthelargestandstrongesttownsofEurope。Hehadalsotheglory，notlessdeartohischivalroustemper，ofsavingthelifeandhonourofthebeautifulDuchessofPopoli，whomhemetflyingwithdishevelledhairfromthefuryofthesoldiers。HeavailedhimselfdexterouslyofthejealousywithwhichtheCataloniansregardedtheinhabitantsofCastile。Heguaranteedtotheprovinceinthecapitalofwhichhewasnowquarteredallitsancientrightsandliberties，andthussucceededinattachingthepopulationtotheAustriancause。
TheopencountrynowdeclaredinfavourofCharles。Tarragona，Tortosa，Gerona，Lerida，SanMateo，threwopentheirgates。TheSpanishGovernmentsenttheCountofLasTorreswithseventhousandmentoreduceSanMateo。TheEarlofPeterborough，withonlytwelvehundredmen，raisedthesiege。Hisofficersadvisedhimtobecontentwiththisextraordinarysuccess。CharlesurgedhimtoreturntoBarcelona;butnoremonstrancescouldstopsuchaspiritinthemidstofsuchacareer。Itwasthedepthofwinter。Thecountrywasmountainous。Theroadswerealmostimpassable。Themenwereill—clothed。Thehorseswereknockedup。
Theretreatingarmywasfarmorenumerousthanthepursuingarmy。
ButdifficultiesanddangersvanishedbeforetheenergyofPeterborough。Hepushedon，drivingLasTorresbeforehim。Nulessurrenderedtothemereterrorofhisname;and，onthefourthofFebruary，1706hearrivedintriumphatValencia。TherehelearnedthatabodyoffourthousandmenwasonthemarchtojoinLasTorres。HesetoutatdeadofnightfromValencia，passedtheXucar，cameunexpectedlyontheencampmentoftheenemy，andslaughtered，dispersed，ortookthewholereinforcement。TheValencianscouldscarcelybelievetheireyeswhentheysawtheprisonersbroughtin。