42 
diately sent off again to Frankfurt, to 
confer with the electors of Mentz and 
Hanover, and Rechteren, the Dutch mi-~ 
- mister. I circulated a report that this 
journey was undertaken for the sake of 
my health, and that the physicians had 
ordered me to use the waters of Schlian- 
genbad. I said to all these petty allies, 
‘It is your interest: a great emperor 
would live at your expense, if you did 
not exist, and would perhaps be better 
off on that.account. If you do not pro- 
tect yourselves by defending him, beware 
lest another Louvois be) waste the Empire 
with fire and sword.” . 
I have always taken for the foundation 
of my politics, the interest of the persons 
with whom I had to do, and have de- 
tested court-flatterers who say, ‘‘' These 
princes are personally attached to your 
majesty.” It is thus they strengthen the 
self-love of sovereigns, who, besides, like 
to be told, “ every thing is going on well, 
in the best manner, or is likely to be re- 
trieved,” 
Villars was not duped by the prescrip- 
tions of the faculty for the cure of dis- 
eases with which I was not afflicted. 
He wrote to a prisoner whom he sent 
back tome: “ If you belong to the army 
which prince Eugene is going to com- 
mand, assure him of my respect. IT un- 
derstand that he is going to the baths on 
the 20th of June; but if I recollect right, 
he was not formerly sO attentive to his 
health. We shall soon see what sort of 
baths he means to take.” I assembled 
my army of Austrians and German 
allies at Coblentz, where I had a long 
conference with the elector of Treves. 
The French had one hundred thousand 
sen inthe Low Countries; Marlborough 
had but sisty thousand. T received or- 
derg to march to his support: I directed 
my troops to proceed by forced marches, 
while I went post myself, fearful Jest a 
Battle should be fought without me, 
Cadogan came to compliment me to 
Maestricht. He told we that the 
French had surprised Ghent, Bruges, 
and Plaskendali, and that my presence 
was wanted. I passed through Brussels, 
where my interview with my mother, sifter 
a separaiion of twenty-five years, was very 
affecting, but very short;—and found 
Marlborough in camp at Asch, betweeiy 
Brussels and Alost; and learning that 
the enemy had their left on the other 
side of the Dendre, Lasked Marlborough, 
en my arrival, “ifit was not bis intention 
Memoirs of ae ince Eugene, of Savoye 
vexed at 
[Aug. I, 
to give battle.” “TI think Tought,” replied 
he immediately, “and I find with plea. 
sure, but without astonishment, that we 
have both made the reflection, that with- 
cut this our communication with. Brus- 
sels would be cut off: bat IT would have 
waited. for your troops.” ‘I would not 
advise. you to wait,” replied I, “ for the 
French would have time to retreat.” at 
Vendome wanted to dispute the pas- 
sage of the Dendre. He told the duke 
of Burgundy, that evil advisers persua- 
ded him to march to Ghent. ‘* When 
you perceive in prince Eugene a desire 
to avoid an engagement, he knows how 
to force you to one.” This expression £ 
saw in the vindication of his conduct, 
which he printed on his return to Paris. 
Cadogan went to Oudenarde, and ina 
few hours threw a_ bridge across the 
Scheldt. “It is still time,” said Ven= 
dome to the duke of Burgundy, ‘‘ to dise 
continue your march, and to attack, 
with the troops which we have here, 
that part of the alhed atmy which has 
passed the river.” The latter hesitated, 
lost time, would have turned back, sent 
twenty squadrons to dispute the passage, 
recalled them, and said, ‘Let us march 
to Ghent.” ‘ It is too late,” said Vena 
dome, you cannot now; in half an hour, 
perhaps, you will have the enemy upea 
you.” “Why then did you stop me?”? 
rejoined the duke of Burgundy. “Te 
begin the attack immediately,” replied 
he, “Cadogan yonder, is already master 
of the village of Elurne and of six bate 
talions, Let us form at least in the best 
manner we can.” Rantzau commenced 
the attack. He overthrew a column of 
cavalry, and would have been routed in 
his turn, had it not been for the electoral 
ee of Hanover,* who had his horse - 
ied under bim. Grimaldi too soon 
and injudiciously, ordered a_ charge. 
‘‘ What are you doing?” cried Vendome, 
coming up at full gallop, “you are 
wrong.” “Ir is by.the duke of Burgun- 
dy’s orders,” replied he. The latter, 
being contradicted, thought 
ciily how to cross the other. Vehdome . 
was giving orders to charge the left. 
“ What are you doing?” said the duke 
of Burgundy. ‘I forbid at; there is an 
unpassable ravine and morass.” Let < any 
one judge of the indignation of Vendome, 
who had passed over the spot but a mo- 
ment before. Had it not been for this 
* Afterwards George I]. 
misunderstanding, 
\ 
