Page:Sketch of the life and character of His Royal Highness the late Duke of York (1).pdf/15

 15 which His Royal Highness landed in Holland and took the command of an army of $6,000 men, of whom 17,000 were Russians. On the 19th of the me month he attacked the French near Alkmaer, ut, in consequence of the want of discipline or tourage of the Russians, he was obliged to retreat. On the 3d of October he again attacked the French nd succeeded in defeating them. At length, after further unavailing efforts on the part of our Tmy, suspension of arms was agreed on, and fi- ally the British troops embarked for England, kad prisoners were given up on both sides. Upon his return to England, the Duke of York bain directed his tine and attention to the ameli- ration of the military system ; cach successive year Forded fresh proofs of the benefits arising from is unabated' exertions, and it must be admitted, wat owing to these, and the many wise regulations established by his Royal Highness, the British army, at this moment, offers a model of perfection every military nation. In sketching the principal events of the life of liit H. there is one passage which will be briefly ated, viz. The unfortunate connection with Mrs. larke. Rumour at first began to be busy re- pecting his official purity. The vague charges bilrich were thus set afloat soon embodied them- elves in the defined shapes of pamphlet-, letters, c. Insinuations were circnlated that such was he influence exercised by Mrs. Clarke over his oyal Highness, and so notorious was that influ- hce, that ladies and gentlemen of the highest rank placame her suitors for military promotions-even Divines of the Church, had considered her as the suntain of preferment: