1706.

BOOK V. the two nations were to the end of time to constitute one kingdom, under the same succession to the crown, and united under one legislature. There was no provision in the treaty respecting religion---agreeably to an express limitation in the powers granted to the commissioners by the parliaments of both kingdoms. These were the chief and leading articles of this memorable treaty ---the first of the kind recorded in history; " for there never was at any time or in any place an example of two sovereign kingdoms incorporating themselves in such a manner." These are the words of lord Halifax, in a letter addressed to the court of Hanover on this welcome and interesting occasion. It now remained for the discussion and ratification of the two legislatures.

Campaign in Flanders.

The summer of the year 1705 being, upon the whole, favorable to the arms of France, the court of Versailles was emboldened at the opening of the present campaign to resume her ancient spirit of military enterprise; and orders were sent to M. Villeroi to act upon the offensive, and risque a general engagement. In consequence of these injunctions, the French commander passed the Dyle, behind which his army lay strongly entrenched, and took a secure post at Tirlemont ; not content with which, he advanced the next day, being Whitsunday, (May 12) to Ramillies, where he unexpectedly found his farther progress

Ramillies.

stopped by the English general. According to BOOK V. every existing account, both of friends and foes, 1706. and particularly of M. Feuquieres, that great authority on military subjects, the disposition of M. Villeroi on this occasion was grossly deficient in skill and judgment. The village of Ramillies, Battle of into which was thrown a great body of troops, fronted the centre of the French infantry; but without any precautions of defence, and at such a distance from the line as to render it incapable of support. The left wing composed of cavalry, was covered by the Gheet and the impassable marshes that bounded it: the troops, therefore, could neither charge the enemy, nor be charged by them. The right extended to the village of Tanieres on the banks of the Mehaigne, and ought to have been supported by it; but the village itself was guarded by one regiment only of dragoons. The baggage, instead of being removed to the rear, was heaped between the two lines, and materially embarrassed their motions. The duke of Marlborough discerned with the eye of a great commander the manifold and palpable errors of his adversary. Perceiving the left wing of the French army rendered useless, he detached a very large proportion of his right to reinforce his centre and left, where the stress of the battle must necessarily lie. During this grand movement, M: Villeroi was urged to adjust his order!

1706.

BOOK V. of battle to that which he saw the enemy forming; M. Gassion Lieut. General in particular exclaiming; "Vous êtes perdu si vous ne changez votre ordre de bataille:" but no instances could prevail upon him to vary his first disposition, though five hours were employed in the necessary evolutions on the part of the allies. The event was such as might be expected from such a combination of obstinacy and presumption. The troops posted in the very manner the enemy could wish, having no confidence in their general, and overpowered by numbers, displayed no marks of spirit or courage. In a short time all was rout and consternation, and a most complete victory was obtained with inconsiderable loss. The duke of Marlborough was nevertheless exposed to the utmost personal danger, being thrown with violence from his horse while charging at the head of his squadrons, and with difficulty rescued from the enemy; after which, a cannon-ball took off the head of Colonel Bringfield, his gentleman of the horse, as he was holding the duke's stirrup to remount. The defeat of M. Villeroi was equally disgraceful and disastrous. He lost his whole train of artillery, most of his baggage, 120 standards, and about 18 or 20,000 men, killed, wounded, prisoners, or deserters. The maréchal and the elector of Bavaria, who displayed much personal courage in the action, with the broken

1706.

remains of their army, continued their flight be- BOOK V. yond the Dyle, till they reached Louvaine; where having held by torch-light in the market-place a council of war, they resolved to abandon that place, and retire towards Brussels: whence the elector first found an interval of leisure to announce to his Most Christian Majesty this unfortunate event, which he ascribes to a fatality beyond example. "I must confess," says he, "when I consider all that has passed in this great action, I do not comprehend the business of war. The only consolation which remains, Sir, in my misfortune, is, that I have done nothing contrary to your orders, which M. Villeroi cannot but acknowledge, as well as all the officers of the army, who have seen me expose myself as much as the meanest soldier."

"The confusion the enemy were in after the battle," say say the Dutch deputies in their letter to the States General, cannot be expressed; as we are informed by the sieur St. Gravenmoer, who was an eye-witness thereof, having been taken prisoner when the enemy broke through our first line. He reports that the elector, notwithstanding his great courage, and the bravery he displayed in the battle, could not forbear to melt in tears in his presence, as did also several other generals. In short, the victory is complete. We shall on Sunday next returq our solemn thanks to

BOOK V GOD Almighty." The consternation occasioned 1706. by this great victory extended itself even to Paris. The duc de Vendome was in haste recalled from Italy to take the command of the army in Flanders; and M. Villeroi, on his subsequent arrival at Versailles, expected to be received with resentment and reproach: but Louis, with whom the maréchal had ever been a personal favorite, gave him a cordial and gracious welcome, saying only, in reference to the late event, Fortune, you know, M. le Duc, is a female, and I are now too old to expect her favors."

Conquest

of Brabant.

you and

The battle of Ramillies was succeeded by a general revolution in the Low Countries. The English commander followed the dispersed and disheartened enemy by rapid marches, received on the 26th of May the submission of the states of Brabant, who in return were assured in the most solemn manner by the conqueror that no infringement should be made on their ancient rights and privileges; and more particularly that his Catholic Majesty would cause to be renewed and confirmed the concessions contained in the famous charter entitled the joyeuse entrée of Brabant. On the 28th the duke marched in great military pomp into the city of Brussels, and was received with all the external demonstrations of joy. Louvaine, Mechlin, Ghent, and Bruges, surrendered on the first summons; "but what," as the duke