it is necessary to act in concert for the success of so important an affair which had been left to the management of the Prince of Orange, in what concerns the allies.

LORD VILLIERS TO THE DUKE OF SHREWSBURY. Hague, September 13. 1697.

I wish I could give your Grace some good account of what more nearly concerns us. My Lord Portland is expected back from Brussels to-morrow. I have received letters to-day, by which I fear that his journey has not much advanced our affairs. I find the King wishes this business had been ended the last of August, for he apprehends that the conditions from the French will every day grow worse and worse, and their behaviour more insolent.

WILLIAM III. TO THE EARL OF PORTLAND.

Loo, September 14. 1697, eight o'clock in the morning.

Your letter of the 12th, from Brussels, having arrived here yesterday evening after I had gone to rest, was not delivered to me till this morning. I am much concerned that you have reaped no other benefit from the conference which you had with Marshal Boufflers; but you know that I never expected any other result. If I followed my own inclinations, I should be firm and make no concession; but you will

learn from the Pensionary the declaration which the citizens of Amsterdam have caused me to make. Thus I cannot discover any means of continuing the war, and without that, you know, our firmness would avail us nothing. I hope that you will arrive at the Hague to-day and be here to-morrow. I do not think that the Pensionary could quit the Hague for a day, the term being so short; and you may learn from him in detail what his sentiments are, and report them to me to-morrow. He may get my answer on Monday morning. It will be very necessary that you should likewise speak to the mediator. But, after all, I have strong fears that we shall be obliged to make peace as we can, if France will have it, unless we can clearly show the burghers of Amsterdam that she does not desire it, and that she continues to deceive us; otherwise I do not know how it will be possible to oblige them to continue their contributions to the expenses of the war. for England, though they, too, ardently wish for peace, I am not so very anxious on their account; but you know the Parliament.

As

LORD VILLIERS TO THE DUKE OF SHREWSBURY. Hague, September 17. 1697.

My Lord,

The last conference between the generals has had no effect. Since Sunday last our negotiation has been on foot again, and the Spaniards have done all but signing. Our affairs are also con

cluded, and this afternoon the ambassadors of the States are with the French to finish theirs, and to adjust the whole, as well for the Imperialists coming in as for a general cessation of arms; so that I hope, if the French really design making peace, we shall be wise enough to conclude it in a few days.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS. Loo, September 22. 1697.

I received, last night, your letter of the preceding day, and your letter of yesterday has been delivered to me to-night by Lord Villiers. May God be pleased to bless the peace which has just been concluded *, and long continue it by his

* The treaty was concluded at Ryswick the 22d, at 6 o'clock of the morning, between France, England, Spain, and the States General. A separate article allowed the Emperor to the 1st of November, to be included in the treaty of peace, and, if he did not think fit to accept it, that was to make no alteration in what others had concluded. His plenipotentiaries signed it the 2d of that month.

"Le roi et la reine d'Angleterre (King James and his queen) étaient à Fontainebleau, à qui reconnaissance du Prince d'Orange fut bien amère. Mais ils en connaissaient la nécessité pour avoir la paix, et savaient bien aussi que cet article ne l'était guères moins au Roi qu'à eux-mêmes. Ils se consolèrent comme ils purent, et parurent même fort obligés au Roi qui tint également ferme à ne vouloir pas souffrir qu'ils sortissent de France, ni qu'ils quittassent le séjour de St. Germain. Le roi eut l'attention de dire à Torcy sur le point de la signature, que si le courrier qui en apporterait la nouvelle arrivait, un ou plusieurs

grace. Yet I confess that the manner in which it has been concluded inspires me with apprehensions for the future. At present, it is absolutely necessary that I should speak to you without delay on many important affairs. I therefore beg you will come here on Wednesday.

P. S.-I do not conceive why the Imperialists and the ministers of the Empire will not consent to an armistice. I hope, however, that this affair will be settled either to-day or to-morrow.

EARL OF PORTLAND TO THE DUKE OF
SHREWSBURY.

Loo, September 24. 1697.

I congratulate you most truly that peace is at length made, such as it is, for, in my opinion, though it is not much to the advantage of France, who purchase it dearly enough, yet we might have made it in a better manner, without permitting France to assume that haughty demeanour which she has manifested since the last of August, had we not testified an immoderate desire, and even a necessity, of making this peace. However, it will ease our affairs in England, provided we do not rely on, and trust to it too much, and we place ourselves in a condition to ensure and preserve it as it should be; which Heaven grant.

l'un après l'autre, il ne le lui vint point dire s'il était alors avec le roi et la reine d'Angleterre, et il défendit aux musiciens de chanter rien qui eut rapport à la paix jusqu'au départ de la cour d'Angleterre."— Mémoires de St. Simon.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS. Dieren, October 15. 1697.

At my suggestion, the Elector of Bavaria has given instructions to the Count de Bergheyck*, who will be

* It would be impossible to give any details respecting this personage, who acted so remarkable a part in the affairs of the Spanish Low Countries during this period. His name is missing in all the biographies; but, happily, it has been preserved for ever from oblivion by the pen of the Duke of Saint Simon.

"Bergheyck, d'abord baron, puis comte, à dire vrai, ni l'un ni l'autre, qu'à la mode de nos ministres, était un homme de Flandre et de meilleure maison qu'ils ne sont d'ordinaire, qui avait travaillé dans les finances des Pays-Bas sur la fin du règne de Charles II., que l'Electeur de Bavière y trouva fort employé, et qu'il y continua à la mort du roi d'Espagne. Sa capacité et sa droiture donnèrent confiance en lui; sa fidélité et son zèle y répondirent, avec beaucoup d'esprit, de sens, de lumière, de justesse, une grande facilité de travail, et d'abord beaucoup de douceur avec tout le monde, et, dans la manière de gouverner, une grande modestie, un entier désintéressement et beaucoup de vues. Il se pouvait dire un homme très rare, et qui avait une connaissance parfaite non seulement des finances, mais de toutes les affaires des Pays-Bas; avec tous ces talents, grand travailleur et fort appliqué, et qui avait une exactitude et une simplicité en tout singulière. C'était un homme qui ne s'avançait jamais, qui ne parlait jamais aussi contre sa pensée, mais ferme dans ses avis et qui les mettait en tout leur jour, obéissant après qu'il avait dit toutes ses raisons, tout comme s'il les eut suivies, et non pas des ordres contraires ou différents de ce qu'il avait cru et exposé comme meilleur. Il fut long-temps en première place. Il vécut plusieurs années content et retiré depuis l'avoir quittée, et ne se mêlant plus de rien; fort homme de bien, point du tout riche, et n'ayant jamais rien fait pour sa famille. Même dans sa retraite il conserva beaucoup de considération en Flandre, où il fut universellement aimé, estimé, honoré, et re