he vote of thanks which the House of Commons gave
to the General for his victory at Wynendael. 'Tis certain that the
capture of Lille was the consequence of that lucky achievement, and the
humiliation of the old French King, who was said to suffer more at
the loss of this great city, than from any of the former victories
our troops had won over him. And, I think, no small part of Mr. Webb's
exultation at his victory arose from the idea that Marlborough had been
disappointed of a great bribe the French King had promised him, should
the siege be raised. The very sum of money offered to him was mentioned
by the Duke's enemies; and honest Mr. Webb chuckled at the notion,
not only of beating the French, but of beating Marlborough too, and
intercepting a convoy of three millions of French crowns, that were on
their way to the Generalissimo's insatiable pockets. When the General's
lady went to the Queen's drawing-room, all the Tory women crowded round
her with congratulations, and made her a train greater than the Duchess
of Marlborough's own. Feasts were given to the General by all the chiefs
of the Tory party, who vaunted him as the Duke's equal in military
skill; and perhaps used the worthy soldier as their instrument, whilst
he thought they were but acknowledging his merits as a commander. As the
General's aide-de-camp and favorite officer, Mr. Esmond came in for a
share of his chief's popularity, and was presented to her Majesty,
and advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, at the request of his
grateful chief.

We may be sure there was one family in which any good fortune that
happened to Esmond caused such a sincere pride and pleasure, that he,
for his part, was thankful he could make them so happy. With these fond
friends, Blenheim and Oudenarde seemed to be mere trifling incidents of
the war; and Wynendael was its crowning victory. Esmond's mistress never
tired to hear accounts of the battle; and I think General Webb's lady
grew jealous of her, for the General was for ever at Kensington, and
talking on that delightful theme. As for his aide-de-camp, though, no
doubt, Esmond's own natural vanity was pleased at the little share
of reputation which his good fortune had won him, yet it was chiefly
precious to him (he may say so, now that he hath long since outlived
it,) because it pleased his mistress, and, above all, because Beatrix
valued it.

As for the old Dowager of Chelsey, never was an old woman in all England