foreign military adventurers whom we have already described. On the 6th of June his grand park of artillery, with all the ordnance stores, was landed at Carrickfergus, and thither the king came himself on the 14th, accompanied by Prince George of Denmark, the Duke of Ormond, and several other noblemen of distinction. The clergymen of the established church waited on William with an address, differing very little from that which they had already presented to James, but which was probably more sincere. The connexion between the church and state led to many inconsistencies which in that day were but slightly regarded. James was regularly prayed for in all the churches within his lines: when William advanced his name was substituted; and when he retreated his rival again became “ our most religious and gracious king." With equal prudence and generosity William distributed a large sum of money among the northern dissenting teachers they had been the most devoted of his adherents, and had shared in all the warlike operations of the Ulster army. Persuaded that promptitude would be of the most essential service, William ordered his army to advance southwards, in order to force an engagement as soon as possible; and when some of his officers advised greater caution, he replied, “I came not into Ireland to let the grass grow under my feet." His army amounted to thirty-six thousand chosen men, of which the greater part were veterans whose valour had been proved in several battle-fields on the Continent.

James, on hearing of William's landing, hastened to join his army, which had retreated from Dundalk to Drogheda, and now occupied a position on the southern bank of the river Boyne. The French and Irish officers vainly laboured to dissuade James from fighting. They represented to him that his numbers were inferior to those of the enemy; that the greater part of his forces were raw levies; that the promised VOL. II.-N

succours from France might be speedily expected; and that in the mean time the English army would be unable to resist the effects of the climate, and the harassing guerilla warfare that might be maintained by the peasantry and the light troops. They showed him how easily he could maintain a defensive war behind the Shannon, until France would strengthen him, and time weaken his rival. There is no obstinacy so great as that of a coward suddenly seized with a braggart fit. James, whose poltroonery-for his conduct deserves no milder term-had caused the loss of the fairest opportunities of success, astonished all his officers by a sudden assumption of courage that bordered on rashness. He insisted on fighting, with so much animation, that his soldiers were persuaded that he intended to take a desperate part in the engagement; but at the same time, with ominous precaution, he despatched Sir Patrick Trant to Waterford, in order to secure a ship for his escape in case of misfortune. It was evidently William's interest to bring the affair to an immediate decision. He knew the slippery ground on which he stood with the factions in England; he was acquainted with the secret intrigues of France for his destruction; and was convinced that every day that the Irish war was protracted added to his danger.

On the last day of June, at the first dawn of morning, William's army advanced towards the river. Having chosen a spot for his camp, the English king proceeded to take a survey of the enemy's lines from a hill which commanded an extensive prospect. William found the Irish posted in a very favourable position. On the right was the town of Drogheda; their left was protected by a deep morass; in their front flowed the river Boyne scarcely fordable; and in front of their line were some breastworks and hedges convenient to be lined with infantry. In their rear at some distance lay the church and village of Donore, and about three miles farther was

the pass of Duleek, on which they depended for a

retreat.

Anxious to gain a nearer view of the enemy, Wil liam proceeded with some officers towards the ford opposite the village of Old Bridge, and, having spent some time in reconnoitring, set down to refresh himself on some rising ground. His motions had not escaped the attention of the Irish army. Berwick, Tyrconnel, Sarsfield, and some other leaders, rode on the opposite bank to observe the English army, and soon discovered William's situation. Suddenly a squadron of horse appeared in a ploughed field opposite the place where he was sitting.

They

concealed two field-pieces in their centre, which were soon placed in position. At the moment William mounted his horse a shot from one of these guns killed a man and two horses nearly on a line with him, and a second ball grazed his right shoulder, tearing the coat and a piece of the flesh. A report was spread through both armies that the English king was slain; the rumour was spread as far as Paris; and the rejoicing which Louis meanly ordered on the occasion proved how highly he estimated the character of his opponent.

To prevent the evil consequences of this unfounded rumour, William, as soon as the wound had been dressed, rode through the ranks of his army and showed himself to his soldiers. In the evening he called a council of war, not to deliberate, but to receive his instructions. Schomberg remonstrated against the resolution to engage, and pointed out the hazard of crossing a river in the teeth of an intrenched enemy; but circumstances scarcely left William an option. He rejected the old general's advice, and Schomberg retired to his tent in disgust. When he received the order of battle in the evening, he indignantly exclaimed that it was the first which had been ever sent him.

The debates in the councils of James were longer

and more discordant. The assumed courage of the wretched monarch had totally disappeared on the approach of danger; and he was now as eager to avoid, as he had been before to court, a battle. The French generals, perceiving the great superiority of William in numbers and artillery, also wished, if possible, to decline an engagement. The Irish declared themselves ready to fight. Under these circumstances a kind of half-measure was adopted. It was determined to hazard a partial battle, and to retreat without risking a general engagement. To this strange determination James in all probability owed the loss of his kingdom.

CHAPTER XII.

The Battle of the Boyne-The Sieges of Athlone and Limerick.

On the memorable morning of the 1st of July, 1690, William's army advanced to the banks of the Boyne in three columns. The cavalry of the right wing was commanded by Count Schomberg, son of the duke; the infantry by General Douglas. The centre, under the command of Duke Schomberg, marched towards some fords that had been discovered near the bridge of Slane. The left, headed by the king in person, proceeded to a ford nearer to the town of Drogheda. On the side of the Irish, the left and centre were composed of native troops. The right wing, which took no share in the engagement, consisted of the French auxiliaries. Count Schomberg and Douglas crossed the river without much opposition. They suffered, however, severely from the heavy fire of the Irish skirmishers, who were posted behind the hedges which intersected the

plain. When these obstacles were overcome, they had to struggle through the morass which protected the left flank of the Irish-an object not to be accomplished without great loss and difficulty, but which was finally attained by persevering gallantry. Astonished at this intrepidity, the Irish gave ground and retreated towards Duleek, hotly pursued by Count Schomberg. Reinforcements, however, soon came up from the centre, and Schomberg was forced to retire in his turn.

William's main body, consisting of his Dutch guard, then the finest infantry in Europe, and some regiments of French Hugonots and other fugitives, now entered the river, and found the water rising as high as their breasts. They advanced firmly, holding their muskets above their heads, under a severe and close fire, poured upon them by several Irish battalions which Hamilton had placed upon the bank. The Dutch were not shaken; they pushed forward, and, having gained the bank, rapidly formed, driving in the skirmishers before them. They were repeatedly charged by the Irish cavalry; but though they suffered severely, their squares remained unbroken. William immediately ordered two Hugonot regiments and one British to advance to the relief of his favourite troops. They were met by Hamilton's infantry in the stream; but at length made good their passage. Scarcely, however, had this been effected when they were charged by the Irish cavalry. The British regiment maintained its ranks; but the Hugonots, being taken in flank, were broken, scattered, and trampled down in a moment. Caillemotte, their brave commander, was slain, the greater part of the men cut to pieces; a few fled to the opposite bank pursued by the dragoons. The Danish horse next advanced, but were broken by the Irish in the very first charge, and driven back in great confusion. The superiority of the Irish cavalry was now so apparent that William's soldiers, who had not yet