A LETTER FROM A TROOPER In Flanders, to his Comrade: SHOWING, That Luxemburg is a Witch, and deals with the Devil.  
Honest TOM,  
I Know thou dost remember, that while thou wast amongst us, Things went but untowardly; and that having mighty Forces, enough one would have thought to have conquered the World, we made nothing on't, but were still on the losing hand: And since thy leaving us, Things have gone on after the same Rate. We are told a Fellow called an Observator should say, That though we have a brave Army, yet we want Conduct. But I would have him to know, That we have as good Conduct as any is under the Copes of Heaven. What the Devil than is the Matter? Or how come these Things about? I have been often Musing what the Matter should be; and at last I have found it out. In plain English, Tom, we have been bewitched. This damned Rogue Luxemburg, this crooked urchinly Rogue, and the Devil together, have bewitched us all this while. As for the Dauphin, who commanded the French last Summer, or at least had the Name of it, I suspect him not: For we all know that the Dauphin is no Conjurer. But we have been bewitched as sure as I am here; and none but Luxemburg could thus bewitch us.  
Thou knowest, Tom, that at the beginning, we talked of nothing less than Marching into France, and Carrying the War into France. And we had Forces sufficient for that purpose, both then, and many times since; the French not daring to fight us. If they had, we should have beaten them to Clouts. By our carrying the War thus forward, we should have lived upon the Enemy; and should have tumbled in Free Quarter, and Contributions, and Plunder. But instead of this, we have kept still in Flanders; lying heavy upon it, and plainly devouring it. Nor have we ever had our Foot upon French Ground. So that I conclude we have been bewitched; and that a Spell hath been laid before us, which we had not the Power to pass over.  
I meant, by French Ground, not only their own Country of France, but their Conquests also; or generally, the French Quarters. And I say again, That we have not been in the French Quarters ever since this War; that is, not with our main Army. For I confess Duke Wirtenburg with a Detachment, and Count Thian with a Party, have been in those Quarters; though their Stay and their Reign were very short. Marry your Gazette did publish. That our main Army (upon our late March to Rouselaer, where we encamped so long to so little purpose) was in the Enemy's Country. But that's a damned Lye. For the Enemy's Country (we all know) is that which is beyond, and within their Frontier Garrisons: Whereas this Place is on this side their Frontier, and between their Frontier and ours; and pays Contribution to us, as well as to them. So, I remember, three Years ago, when our Army had passed the Sambre, and was got as far as Beaumond, Fools gave out that we were in the Enemy's Quarters. But we were but Nine or Ten Miles from Charleroy, which was then Ours, and within the Contribution of that Garrison. And the like may be said of Walcourt, where we had been before that time.  
Thou seest now, that we can come near the Enemy's Country; though even That doth seldom happen: But we can't get into it, for the Heartblood of us. Though we desire it above all Things; and though we want neither Strength, nor Courage, nor Conduct. And therefore thou may'st be satisfied, as well as I, That the Devil has hindered us, and that we have been bewitched.  
The French run every foot into Our Country, and why should not▪ We do the like into Theirs? Are we afraid of an Action of Trespass? We had once Namur, Charleroy, and Mons, all abreast; and it was a noble Frontier. But the French made nothing to pass through this Frontier, and to lie in the heart of our Country, between those Places and Brussels; where they were as safe as a Thief in a Mill. Not a Quarter ever beaten up, or so much as attempted. And this they would do, even when they were forced to avoid fight, our Army being stronger than theirs. Tom, we have been invaded Year after Year, by an Enemy that durst not fight us: But whether this could be done without Witchcraft, I leave Thee to judge. And I know thou art a great Judge in these Matters: We have many great Officers, that cannot judge half so well.  
Prithee Tom give me leave, for otherwise I must take it, to add one Word more. I say then, That by these Doings poor Flanders hath been sadly burdened, being made the perpetual Seat of War: When in the mean time the French Quarters lie fresh and untouched. And this hath made them so Rampant as they are. But if we had lain upon their Country as long as they have done upon ours, they would have been in a very bare and low Condition.  
Ay but, thou'lt say, We cannot fall into the French Quarters, because of their Lines. Very good. And these Lines show yet more: plainly, That there is Witchcraft in the Case: For they could never be defended without the help of the Devil. They reach from Dunkirk upon the Sea, to Pont Espiers upon the River Scheld; which is near Forty English Miles. From whence to Conde (along that River, which here serves for a Line) is near Twenty Miles more. And from Conde to Namur, it is almost Fifty Miles. Now I leave thee to consider, whether Lines of this length could be defended without Witchery. And herein lies the Witchery, That we have not the Power to attempt them. For when we did attempt them, (which we have done but twice, and that was under Wirtemberg and Thian,) we broke through them with Ease.  
Thou seest, by what I have written, That I am very fond of getting into the Enemy's Country. Others are rather for besieging and taking their Frontier Towns. And so am I, when we are able to do it. But this requires a great Odds in Power: One Army for the Sieges, and another to confront the Enemy. Whereas we may march into their Country, when ever we dare fight. What, go beyond their Frontier Garrisons? Ay, beyond them. Why should not We do it as well as the French? And Garrisons signify nothing against a Commanding Army; no more than so many Crows Nests. An Army that dares Fight, and yet dares not March into the Enemy's Country, are the veriest Buzzards and Owls that ever were hatched. Unless they are bewitched, as We plainly have been. For I would have thee, and all Men to know, and thou dost know, that We are neither Owls nor Buzzards.  
I will now tell thee in particular of some of Luxemburg's Tricks: That thou may'st see what a Rogue he is, and that he is the Rogue that has bewitched us. One of his first Pranks, after he came in play, was at Fleury: where I saw plainly, who he dealt with. He lay with his Army beyond the Sambre; and Prince Waldeck was advancing towards him in fair Order. What does Luxemburg now, but get Boufflers to him (by the help of the Devil) with his Army from a far Country: And Prince Waldeck knew no more on't than the Pope of Rome. In the twinkling of an Eye, abundance of Bridges were thrown over the River, by the same help I warrant: And they catched poor Waldeck in Fleury Plains, just as the Devil had contrived it. Wouldst know what came on't? They gave us a damnable Ruffle, to say no worse.  
I come now to Mons; which Place we had never lost by a Winter Siege, but that we were bewitched there twice over. First, the Devil was in it, that when we saw vast Preparations for a Siege, and that in all likelihood Mons was aimed at; we did not put into it one Man the more, though Thousands lay Quartered in Flanders. So that the Place was lost for want of Men. For the Garrison was not Five thousand strong, when the Place required Ten thousand. Secondly, the Town being yet in Condition to hold out several Days, by Luxemburg's means the Devil possessed the Priests, and set them in a Mutiny; and they forced the Governor to surrender. When at the same time we were just Marching to their Relief.  
Mons being lost, we fell to fortifying of Hell; which thou knowest is within Seven Miles of Brussels. And we had laboured several Weeks upon it. But Luxemburg coming across the Country, we were fain to out run our new Fortress. For, as the Devil would have it, there were but Two thousand Men in it, and no Cannon. We thought the Loss not so great, as the Disgrace and the Baffle.  
If Luxemburg could have kept this Town, it had been a sharp Thorn in our Sides, lying so near Brussels. But our Army grew soon so strong, that he durst not do it. And now he declined Fight, and mainly fortified his Camp. Whereupon we fairly left him, and marched away directly for France; to the great Joy of the whole Army, who longed to be there. And Luxemburg soon followed; Marching along beside us, and Coasting us at a distance. We, in our March, were joined by several Thousands; so that our Army was increased to Ninety thousand Men, the French being not near so many. And now we were full of Hopes, and Resolution, and Courage; and we hugged ourselves with the Thoughts of a brave Invasion. But in the Nick, this cursed Rogue Luxemburg, fell to his Charms and Spells, and confounded all. Methinks I see the Devil sitting upon his Crump Shoulder, and beckoning to us, and saying; Come this way, come this way, turn your Noses this way. And as sure as thou art alive, Tom, we stopped our March into France, and turned our Noses upon Luxemburg. And we Encamped by him with our mighty Army a good part of the Summer; doing no kind of Thing but eat up our own Country. Didst thou not read News in the Gazette, Week after Week, From his Majesty's Camp at Gemblours, and from the Royal Camp at Gemblours? There it was that we Lay, just behind Charleroy and Namur, which then were ours; while the French Army lay advanced before Mons. They said, we stayed for our heavy Cannon to come by Water from Mastricht; which were long a coming. For the Devil dried up the Maese River, and laid Sands in our way, so that the Boats could not pass; and we were bewitched all over. At last our Cannon came up, and we did nothing with them. However we afterwards marched on, and passed the Sambre. But we never got Ten Miles beyond it, nor out of our own Contribution: Nor could we ever reach the French Quarters; though they lay as open to us, as Hartfordshire does to Middlesex. For than they had no Lines thereabouts. But our stay was not long in these Parts: For within a while we Marched back into Flanders, and Luxemburg after us; where we passed the rest of the Campaigne.  
All this while our Noble King was with us; who is the bravest General in Christendom. He spares for no Pains, and he wants no Brains, and he is Metal to the Back. Tom, it would do thee good to serve under such a General. But, at the end of the Year, his Majesty left us, and Prince Waldeck commanded. And then it was that Luxemburg played us another Trick, near a Town called Leuze, in a damned thick Fog, which the Devil had raised for him; he was with us, and upon us, before we were in the least aware of him. I tell thee, Tom, we dreamt not on him, till he was almost within Pistol shot. And if we had not fought like Devils, Luxemburg's Devil had beaten us to pieces. But fight as we did, it proved but a Brush, or a Basting. Here the Devil did as much for Luxemburg, as could be expected at his hands. For he raised one Mist in the Air, and cast another over Some-body's Brains: Or else we should have had our Scouts abroad, knowing that the Enemy was not far from us.  
The Siege of Namur follows next in Order: Where we were bewitched most confoundedly. It was a brave Town, and of mighty Importance; and we brought a brave Army to relieve it; and our Men were in high Courage, and would have sought Blood up to the Ears, and were mad to be at it; making no question but to beat the French to dirt. Then, as to Conduct, I say it again, We have as good as any in the World: But yet we suffered this Town to be taken before our Faces, without striking a Stroke; or so much as firing a Musket. And some think, That we lost more Men by lying still, and by the Diseases it occasioned, than we should have done if we had fought every Day. Now can any Man imagine that these Things could be, if the Devil had not bewitched us? If the Relief was possible, why did we not attempt it? If it was impossible, why did we not march away, and make a Diversion? But We could neither Fall on, nor March off; but were perfectly enchanted. And who should do it, but that crooked Urchin, whom I have so often mentioned? The French King was here himself; who is likewise much suspected to deal in the Black Art. But, for my part, I am fully satisfied, That 'twas Luxemburg, and his Devils, that brought these Things about. It must be confessed, that the French did something outnumber us; but we feared them not. And their Army lay round a great City; their inner Line being without Cannon shot, as it must be: So that their Quarters extended very wide, and took up a mighty Compass: Nor had they any Circumvallation, as they called it; only their Quarters were barricadoed, and some Works thrown up here and there. Also the Maes and the Sambre meeting at Namur, those two Rivers run through and divided their Quarters. So that part of their Men lay on one side the Sambre, and part on the other, and part lay beyond the Maes. And we having Hue upon the Maes, and Charleroy upon the Sambre, we might have marched upon them on either side of either River. And it had been hard, if some where or other we could not beat them up. However we might have tried what we could do: but the Devil was in it, we never made a trial. Whereas though we had failed in the Attempt, and been sound banged with the Loss of Ten or Twenty thousand Men; no Body would have blamed us, and our very Loss had been Glorious. But to be Looker's on, was such a Thing; it makes me mad to think on it. Though an Observator says, That we got more Honour by our mighty Attempts to relieve the Town, than the French did by taking it.  
But after Namur was lost, we fell to fight like mad; though it would have been better, one would have thought, to have done so before. Had we ventured half so freely before, as we did after, Namur might have been Ours at this day. But as to the Fight we had after, (it is called the Battle of Steenkirk, and thou hast heard much of it) I'll tell thee how it was. The French King, after he had taken Namur, was gone to Paris; and a good part of his Army was sent towards Germany; and our Army was much increased. So that the French Army, left in Flanders with Luxemburg, was now clearly the weaker. Yet, for all that, he had the Impudence to march into our Country, and there continue. But, for fear of the worst, he encamped in a Ground of great Advantage, which he also strongly fortified. Whereupon we took a Resolution to fall upon him in his Camp. And we begun most bravely. Ten Battalions of Ours, who had the Van, beat Thirty French Battalions out of their Ground; and chased them from Hedge to Hedge, and from one Work to another; and we made them outrun their Cannon. We showed what Rogues we could make of the French, if we had them fairly before us. And now was Luxemburg hard put to it: He scarce had time to say a short Prayer to the Devil. Good Devil, quoth he, help me out at this dead Lift, or I am undone for ever. And the Devil did help him to some purpose. For he so brought it about, that our Men were not seconded: By which means we were beaten off with great Loss, (still Fight stoutly) and Luxemburg scaped a Scouring. For had our main Body seconded our Van, he had certainly been quite Routed. Some said, That our main Body could not come up, because of the bad Ground. But why could they not march the same Way, and upon the same Ground, that the Van had done? And why did they not follow closer, but lay Lagging some Miles behind? In short, The Devil was in it, and we were bewitched.  
When this bloody Bout was over; and our Army recruited and reinforced, we marched to attaque the French Lines. But Luxemburg, by the help of his old Friend the Devil, got thither before us. For we, on our part, sauntered a great way about, and out of our way, as if Puck had led us; which I believe he did. However, we then learned, as we had done at Hall before, That the true way to draw the French out of Flanders, is to march into France, or towards it. For they are very tender in this matter: And though they love to be in an Enemy's Country, yet they cannot endure that an Enemy should be in theirs.  
Being bobbed at the Lines, we went with our Commanding Army and encamped at at a Place called Grammen; which is a good snug Place, within our own Country, and but Five or Six Miles from Gaunt. And here we were tied by the Leg (no doubt by Sorcery and Witchcraft, it could be nothing else) for a great many Weeks; being not able to move one way or other. But our Army increased to a Hundred thousand Men, while Luxemburg had not half the Number; a great part of his Army being gone to the Maes under Boufflers, to stave off an Invasion there. Nevertheless we still kept close in our Camp at Grammen: Nor did we budge from it till we went into Winter Quarters. During all which time you had News in the Gazette, From the Royal Camp at Grammen.  
But what could we have done, had we been disposed to be active? I answer, That in the first Place we might still have attempted their Lines. Not their Line between the Scheld and the Lys, where Luxemburg lay with his Army; but their long Line between the Lys and Dunkirk. For this had but an ordinary Guard: And if the French should have drawn their main Army to have defended it, their new and unfinished Fortifications at Courtray, and likewise their Camp near it, would have been in great danger. We found afterward, by Experience, that in all likelihood it would have been no hard Matter to have forced these Lines. But if it had proved hard, and we had been repulsed, we might have marched up the Scheld; and have endeavoured, by throwing Bridges over it, to have gotten that way into the French Conquests. Tom, I think in my Conscience this River Scheld is enchanted. It is like Styx, the River of Hell; which none could pass without the help of old Charon. Thou knowest it is but a paltry River, in comparison of other Rivers. A Man (I had almost said) may leap over it with a Pike Staff: I am sure that with Five or Six Boats, we might lay a Bridge over it any where. And yet we stand in as much awe of it, as if it were the Rhine, or the Danube; we dare not so much as attempt to pass it. Though the French Conquests lie entire and untouched behind it; at which we might have our Wills, if we durst pass this River. If we must Encamp, why might we not have Encamped upon this River (getting likewise a Passage over it) any where above their Lines? And then the French must quit their Lines, we being behind them. Or if we had made a new Garrison, methinks there were the Place. A lusty Garrison here, (I would not have it less than Ten thousand Men) would maintain itself bravely, by Contributions out of the French Conquests. In such a Garrison I should desire to be; there were some Cut in such a Garrison. But suppose we could not get over this River; must we then lie in our own Country with our Commanding Army? There was no such Necessity. For we might have gone higher up the Scheld; and have forced those Lines, (if they had then any Lines there) which afterwards Count Thian forced so easily, with a Party of Twelve hundred Men. Which being done, nothing could have hindered us from Marching into France, we having such a mighty Power as we had. And if Luxemburg had come in our way, we should have beaten him, with all his Devils. But let us go on.  
Thou hast heard, I know, That Dixmude and Furnes, which we had fortified at the end of the Campagne, were most famously lost this Winter. We outrun the one, and the other was delivered up after a Siege of some Hours. When these Things were done, Luxemburg was at Paris: But I warrant he had laid his Spells before he went; for I am very sure he did bewitch us. Was it not a bewitched Thing, that we should fortily these Places for the French? When base Things are done, and no body in Fault, I conclude there is Witchcraft in the Case: And when no body is Punished, I conclude that no body was in Fault. We were much troubled at the Loss of these Places: But some think, That we were more bewitched in Fortifying them, than we were in Losing them. Furnes is about Five Miles forward from Newport, (which is Ours;) and Dixmude about Seven sideward. And must we have a Garrison at every Seven Miles end? Why, a small Country, thus Garrisoned, would drink up a great Army. And thou knowest, Tom, (for thou art a cunning Dog, and hast Guts i'thy Brains,) that when we fortify Places near our own Garrisons, they do us little good if we keep them, and great Mischief if the Enemy take them. If we had kept these Two Places, they would not have commanded a Contribution (more than we had before) to maintain a Thousand Men; when at least Five or Six thousand must be in them. I'll not give a Pin for a Garrison, that has not a good Contribution. For the great End of Garrisons, let them say what they will, is to command Contributions. Therefore our new Garrisons should have been made Twenty or Thirty Miles forward, towards the Enemy's Country; and then they would have Contribution in abundance.  
Now follows the Campagne of 93. in the Beginning of which the French Monarch was sound baffled. At that Season, it seems, the Devil was turned against him, or at least forsook him. He came upon us with a greater Force than ever; and we were to be run down forthwith, and all Flanders to be swallowed up. In good earnest, Tom, we were in great danger. But our King Encamped so commodiously, and so strongly, and took such Order for the Defence of all Places, that the Monarch was quite graveled. Yet if he had not been an arrant Buzzard, or the Devil had not owed him a Shame, he might have left us in our Camp, and have marched up to Brussels, and beyond it, and whither he pleased; and have grazed up the Country as he went, and have put all Brabant under Contribution. Which had put us in a bad Condition to maintain the War: And some Places or other would have fallen into his hands. But instead of doing this, or any Thing else, he sneaked back to Paris, (or to Versailles, I care not which) and all his Court Ladies with him: Whom he had brought to be Spectators of his famous Victories; and by Report they were no better than they should be. Soon after the Dauphin marched towards Germany, with part of the French Army: Luxemburg being left with the remaining Part, which was still a Force superior to Ours. And not long after that, the Duke of Wirtemberg was detached from our Army to attaque the French Lines. Which Design was carried so secretly, that the Devil himself could not discover it to Luxemburg. The Lines were mastered with little ado, and we got into brave Quarters, and we raised Contributions amain. But than came the Battle of Landen, (another bloody Bout,) which hurried us back to our main Army that wanted us. Till than we had been free from Witchcraft during that Campaigne: But then Luxemburg bestirred himself, and conjured up all his Devils; and we were bewitched over and over. First, The Devil bewitched us to let Hue be so miserably unprovided for defence, the Enemy being so near it. And if we could not defend it, why did we not blow it up? But it was yielded in two or three Days. Secondly, We were bewitched to lie in the Enemy's reach, who so much overpowered us. And thirdly, We were catched in a bewitched Ground; having a River and Morass behind us, which should have been before us. The French came up with us over Night; and we expected to Retreat that Night, which the Gallants thought dishonourable. But some of our Troop have read Sir Walter Raleigh, and they tell us that he has a Saying, That 'tis more honourable to Retreat by Night, than to be Beaten by Day. But we fought it stoutly; and the King did bravely above the rest. However it was a bad Business: And it would have been much worse, if Luxemburg (to our great good Fortune) had not played the Beast, in not pursuing his Advantage.  
We are come at last to Ninety four, or the Campaigne of last Summer: And thou wilt find by the Story, That the Devil doth still haunt us, and bewitch us. This Year the Dauphin did again Command the French in Chief; and the old Magician (thou knowest who I mean) Commanded again under him. And they presently fell to their old Trade: For the first Thing they did, was to come boring into our Country, where they lay at Rack and Manger. And we suffered this as tamely as we used to do: Wherein thou may'st perceive a Spice of the old Witchery. I confess that the French at first were something too strong for us: But in a short time we were grown stronger than they; and our Fingers itched to be upon their Jackets. However we were content to forbear, till the Arrival of all our Forces: Which Forces being come, and we being all together, the Sun never shined upon a braver Army. And then we outnumbered the Enemy, by many Thousands, both in Horse and Foot; and we had better Horses, and better Men, and were every way superior: So that we made no more of the French Army, than of so many Jackdaws. We being in this glorious Condition, the French, who had lain beside us, than marched in quite beyond us; and were got between Liege and Mastricht. But we thought them besotted, to give us such an Advantage; making account that we had them then in a Bag (if we had but the Grace to shut it,) and that they could not escape us. For our Army interposing between them and home, (as we expected we should) and they having with them all their Baggage and heavy Cannon, they could not get off without fight; and then we made no doubt but we should beat them to fitters. For my part, I thought the War was near an End; a happy and glorious End: There being but two Things to do; that is, to beat the French Army, and then to march to Paris. Thou knowest, Tom, That Namur, and Hue, and Liege, and Mastricht, lie all on a Row upon the Maese. Of which Mastricht and Liege were ours, and the French had Hue and Namur: Hue being advanced into our Quarters, beyond all the rest of their Frontier. These Places lying thus, and the French Army (as I told thee) being between Liege and Mastricht, we had Orders given us to get ready to March. And I cannot express, nor thou imagine, how joyfully we received these Orders. And then our Business was, either to march strait upon the Enemy, or to cut off their Retreat, by interposing between them and home; that is, between them and Hue: For if they got to Hue, they got home. But now see and wonder how we were Enchanted: Tom, as I hope to be saved, we turned our Noses the wrong way again. For with mighty diligence we marched clear fromward the Enemy, and likewise beside and beyond Hue: leaving the French a free Passage to it. And they marched thither the very next day. Never talk now of Bungling, or Fumbling, or making Blunders; for we scorn those Words. 'Twas Witchcraft, dear Tom, 'twas Witchcraft, that made us do as we did; the Devil and Luxemburg did bewitch us: And that damned Magician may brag of this, as one of his bravest-Feats. Thou wilt say, That we were still between the French and Namur. Ay, and so we were. But the French had a Bridge at Hue over the River, and they made divers other Bridges: Whereas we had none, nor did we offer to make any. So that they could march to Namur on the far side the River, when they pleased, without the least danger or disturbance. But they chose rather to lie by it, that they might give us a Baffle by making us rise first: Wherein they succeeded, as well they might. For they Commanded the one side of the River as much as we; and the other side they had wholly to themselves.  
Yet here we stayed and encamped, as long as we could get any Forage, waiting upon the Frenchman's Back sides; (when thou and I are together, we use another Word.) But, for my part, I did not think we had owed them that Duty; nor did I know why, or wherefore we stayed here so long, in the high Condition we were in. The French, being the weaker, might with reason be willing that the time should be spent in idle Encampments: But we, who were the stronger, if we had not been still bewitched, methinks should rather have chosen to be doing. Well, at last we marched away for Flanders, as hard as we could drive, to have another bout at those Lines. And the French durst not follow us the way we went, (which was the next way,) for fear we should turn back upon them, and fall upon their Bones; but they were fain to go round by Namur, and beyond the Sambre. Yet, by the Devil's help, (for no power of Man could do it) they got before us to the Lines: By which means we were prevented and baffled.  
What had we then to do, with our glorious Army, but to march presently up the Scheld; and either force a Passage over that River, or march on directly for France itself? We had then led the French such a Dance, who were damnably jaded by their late long March, and hardly able to crawl,) that all the Devils in Hell could not have enabled them to follow us. But the Devil turned our Noses once more the wrong way: For we marched down the River, and into our own Country; first to Oudenard, than almost to Gaunt, and at last to a Place called Rousselaer, which now bears the Name of a Royal Camp. For here was another Encampment, and Enchantment: And here we lay with our glorious Army all the rest of the Summer, as it were bound Hand and Foot; and without doing any Thing, or any prospect of it. For we were cooped up by the Enemy's Lines, which we had no Thoughts of Attempting. And was not this a bewitched Place, for such an Army to lie in? We exceeded the Enemy by Thirty or Forty thousand: And though after a while we sent a Detachment to the Siege of Hue, yet still we far exceeded them. If we had Encamped all this while in the Enemy's Country, it would never have angered me, though we had been never so idle: For then, if we had done nothing else, we had eaten up the Enemy's Country. I have told thee already, and I tell thee again, that we were not then in the Enemy's Country. In the Country between both, I confess, we were: But in these parts, the Enemy's Country is that within their Lines; whereas our Camp was without these Lines, and Eight or Nine Miles short of them.  
I said before, that we had never attempted Scheld River, but I lied; we attempted it then, that is, we looked upon it and no more. First, one great Man viewed the P●ace, and then another great Man viewed it, and then we came away. It was as we came down to Oudenard, in ou● way to ou● Camp: And the Attempt was made by a Detachment of about Six thousand Men. But if we had ●een in earnest, we might have made, out of our vast Numbers, many such Detachments for that Service: And we might have attempted several Places at once; or tried one Place, and then another; both by Day and by Night. How did Prince Lewis of Baden pass the Rhine this Summer? I am sure I saw it in the Paris Gazette, (for Tom I can now read French a little,) That he made a false Attaque or Attempt in one Place, and then passed in another; the French having drawn their Forces to the first Place. But this Attempt of ours (such as it was) was made in one Place only; and in a Place more likely to be provided for defence, than any other on the River. For it was at Pont Esperies, where the French Line ends, which is between the Lys and the Scheld, and where they always had Forts and Guards.  
Our retaking of Hue was a very good Business, as Things go: But I expected that the Army that took it, would have entered the Duchy of Lutzenburg, which the French now have, and which lies hard by; and so have broken that Charm that keeps us hitherto from Entering the Enemy's Country. Thou wilt say, They did enter that Duchy, for all the News-books said so. Why then all the News-books lied; for we never were in that Duchy, nor out of the Diocese of Liege: For, by their own Story, we lay all the while between Navaigne and Franchimont, both which Places are in this Diocese. And Navaigne is upon the Maes, almost as low as Mastricht. And therefore I am the more confirmed that some Witchcraft lies upon us; so that we cannot find the way into the Enemy's Country.  
In the close of the last Campaigne (for at last I draw to a Conclusion) we new fortified several Places: That is, Dixmude again, (which the French had slighted and abandoned,) Deynse, Ninove, and Tillemont; and we talk of Hall likewise. Of these, Dixmude (as I said before) is Seven Miles from Newport; Deynse is within Five Miles of Gaunt; Ninove lies behind Oudenard and Aeth; Tillemont is between Louvain and Leeuwe, and very near the later; and Hall is within Six or Seven Miles of Brussels. And the Places to which they ●ie thus near, were our standing Garrisons before. Let us now examine between thee and me, and according to our Rules, (and I think we Troopers should understand these Matters as well as some of them do) whether these new Garrisons be good ones, and will do us any Service. I say then, That if each of these new Garrisons can command Contribution to maintain Three or Four thousand, or even Two or Three thousand Men, we must allow these Garrisons to be good ones. But if all these Garrisons put together, will not command any Contribution worth the speaking of, more than we might have without them; then, according to our Rules, all of them together are not worth a Dog-turd. And we were bewitched, by Luxemburg and the Devil, to be at so much Charge, in fortifying and keeping such useless Things. A little time will show what they can do. But if we had made a new Garrison upon the Scheld, any where between Tournay and Conde, and another upon the Sambre near Charleroy, either above or below it; I'd have eaten Hay with a Horse, and been hanged for a Fool, if either of these two Garrisons would not have maintained Ten thousand Men: If they were made big enough (as they ought) to contain so many. And all this by Contributions out of the Enemy's Countries, which otherwise we cannot reach. Out of these two Garrisons we should have scoured the French Quarters i'faith.  
I could write more now to thee, but I won't; for I know thou art a Man of Business. Only I shall say This, That if this cursed Witchcraft which has so plagued us were removed, we'd beat the French to jericho: But if it continue upon us, though you send us never so many Millions from England, we shall do nothing here in Flanders that is worth one Farthing. And so, dear Tom, fare thee well.   

LONDON, Printed in the Year MDCXCV.