Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew vol 1.djvu/369

 secretary-at-war, was dispersed by an auction sale, only a very few letters having been secured for the British Museum. To it he alludes in his letter to the Duke, dated Camp near Casale, July 19-29 1695:—

“My Lord, I write twice a-week to the king and to Mr. Blathwayt, from whose letters I receive His Majesty’s orders. But I know it is also my duty to inform you of what passes here You will (I trust) have seen, my Lord, that I have done all in my power to engage the chiefs to use all their efforts towards the sea, to profit by the superiority of our fleet.”

The original of one of Lord Galway’s letters to Mr. Blathwait has come into my possession, and I give a translation of it here. It alludes to the demolition of Casale:—

“ near, 12-22 August 1695.

“Sir, — I have returned here. I do not know if the courier whom you sent to me has been despatched. I fear that the bad state of His Royal Highness’ health has delayed his departure. I have been informed that his fits of ague continue. I have sent couriers to our consuls at Venice, Genoa, and Leghorn, to give them the good news of the taking of Namur. I have also written it to the admiral, who, according to the last advices, was at Barcelona on August 2d (n.s.). I have also let him know that, according to all the advices from France, the enemy are under no apprehension of any expedition from his quarter; so that, if he thinks proper to revisit their coast, I believe he will give them a surprise. I am expecting news day after day of the king’s next step, now that Namur is surrendered. The demolition of our fortress goes on slowly. All the native soldiers, and even the officers, fall sick. Only two in my own household have altogether escaped. You may well believe that I would greatly desire to be out of this country. I hope that the king does me the justice not to believe that I have any longing to go to England because of uneasy feelings. I prefer his service to my private affairs, which are all right as long as I have the happiness to be in his service, and to give him satisfaction. — I am, with all my heart, Sir, &c.,

“.”

Here I may digress in order to notice two matters suggested in Lord Galway’s letters to Mr. Blathwait. British soldiers have long been famous for their bravery and prowess, but the army has sometimes suffered from the want of well-educated officers. The Stuart dynasty left England destitute of capable officers, or nearly so. Our military efficiency was restored, to a large extent, through the introduction of French refugee officers, their accomplishments and their discipline. In a letter from the camp before Casale, 2-12 July 1695, Lord Gal way gives an account of an average English officer:—

“Your cousin, Captain Povey, arrived on the day of the surrender of this place, but we have not been able to give him employment. We are in great need of capable men in the artillery; but I must tell you that I fear that his knowledge is not very practical, as he has always had an artillery command under King Charles and King James, but no fighting [mais sans guerre]. I presented him to His Royal Highness to-day, who is well disposed to do him a favour, and will have him examined. But there is another cause for regret, that no one here can speak English, and he can speak neither German nor Italian, and but little French.”

The other matter is of a more sentimental and personal nature. Lord Galway was never married, and (as far as is known) never in love. Certainly he had given his whole heart to his Church, his king, and his public duties. A young officer, Prince Charles of Brandenburg, fell in love and married. Joining the army in Piedmont, he soon fell sick and took to his bed, and in less than three weeks he died. Lord Galway wrote of him as a brave and meritorious officer ruined by love. Let the refugee General speak in his mother tongue:—

“7-17 Juillet 1695. — Le Prince Charles de Brandebourg est très mal apres le beau manage qu’il a fait. Je crois que le chagrin de ne pouvoir passer sa vie auprès de sa dame l’a mit dans l’êtat ou il est.”

“10-20 Juillet. — M. le P. Charles de Brandebourg, qui est malade depuis quinze jours, étoit hier à la dernière extremité. Je n’en ai pas encore de nouvelles aujourdhui.”

“13-23 Juillet. — M. le Prince Charles de Brandebourg est mort depuis deux heures. C’étoit un prince de courage et de merite que l’amour avoit perdu. Cette avanture l’avoit jetté dans un extrème melancolie qui n’a pas peu contribué à sa mort.”

Casale having been given over to the Duke of Mantua, the Duke of Savoy’s next proposal was the reduction of the town and fortress of Pignerol. Lord Galway considered the project impracticable and unwise, and again pressed his overture for the siege of Nice. King William entirely concurred with Lord Galway; but while