\"Therewereasbravemenonthatfield，\"saysMr。Esmond（whonevercouldbemadetolovetheDukeofMarlborough，nortoforgetthosestorieswhichheusedtohearinhisyouthregardingthatgreatchiefsselfishnessandtreachery）——\"thereweremenatBlenheimasgoodastheleader，whomneitherknightsnorsenatorsapplauded，norvoicesplebeianorpatricianfavored，andwholiethereforgotten，undertheclods。Whatpoetistheretosingthem？\"
\"TosingthegallantsoulsofheroessenttoHades！\"saysMr。
Addison，withasmile。\"Wouldyoucelebratethemall？IfImayventuretoquestionanythinginsuchanadmirablework，thecatalogueoftheshipsinHomerhathalwaysappearedtomeassomewhatwearisome;whathadthepoembeen，supposingthewriterhadchronicledthenamesofcaptains，lieutenants，rankandfile？
Oneofthegreatestofagreatman\'squalitiesissuccess;\'tistheresultofalltheothers;\'tisalatentpowerinhimwhichcompelsthefavorofthegods，andsubjugatesfortune。OfallhisgiftsI
admirethatoneinthegreatMarlborough。Tobebrave？everymanisbrave。Butinbeingvictorious，asheis，Ifancythereissomethingdivine。Inpresenceoftheoccasion，thegreatsouloftheleadershinesout，andthegodisconfessed。Deathitselfrespectshim，andpassesbyhimtolayotherslow。Warandcarnagefleebeforehimtoravageotherpartsofthefield，asHectorfrombeforethedivineAchilles。Yousayhehathnopity;nomorehavethegods，whoareaboveit，andsuperhuman。Thefaintingbattlegathersstrengthathisaspect;and，whereverherides，victorychargeswithhim。\"
Acoupleofdaysafter，whenMr。Esmondrevisitedhispoeticfriend，hefoundthisthought，struckoutinthefervorofconversation，improvedandshapedintothosefamouslines，whichareintruththenoblestinthepoemofthe\"Campaign。\"Asthetwogentlemensatengagedintalk，Mr。Addisonsolacinghimselfwithhiscustomarypipe，thelittlemaid—servantthatwaitedonhislodgingcameup，precedingagentlemaninfinelacedclothes，thathadevidentlybeenfiguringatCourtoragreatman\'slevee。Thecourtiercoughedalittleatthesmokeofthepipe，andlookedroundtheroomcuriously，whichwasshabbyenough，aswastheownerinhisworn，snuff—coloredsuitandplaintie—wig。
\"Howgoesonthemagnumopus，Mr。Addison？\"saystheCourtgentlemanonlookingdownatthepapersthatwereonthetable。
\"Wewerebutnowoverit，\"saysAddison（thegreatestcourtierinthelandcouldnothaveamoresplendidpoliteness，orgreaterdignityofmanner）。\"Hereistheplan，\"sayshe，\"onthetable:
hacibatSimois，hereranthelittleriverNebel:hicestSigeiatellus，hereareTallard\'squarters，atthebowlofthispipe，attheattackofwhichCaptainEsmondwaspresent。IhavethehonortointroducehimtoMr。Boyle;andMr。Esmondwasbutnowdepictingaliquoproeliamixtamero，whenyoucamein。\"Intruth，thetwogentlemenhadbeensoengagedwhenthevisitorarrived，andAddison，inhissmilingway，speakingofMr。Webb，colonelofEsmond\'sregiment（whocommandedabrigadeintheaction，andgreatlydistinguishedhimselfthere），waslamentingthathecouldfindneverasuitablerhymeforWebb，otherwisethebrigadeshouldhavehadaplaceinthepoet\'sverses。\"Andforyou，youarebutalieutenant，\"saysAddison，\"andtheMusecan\'toccupyherselfwithanygentlemanundertherankofafieldofficer。\"
Mr。Boylewasallimpatienttohear，sayingthatmyLordTreasurerandmyLordHalifaxwereequallyanxious;andAddison，blushing，beganreadingofhisverses，and，Isuspect，knewtheirweakpartsaswellasthemostcriticalhearer。Whenhecametothelinesdescribingtheangel，that\"Inspiredrepulsedbattalionstoengage，Andtaughtthedoubtfulbattlewheretorage，\"
hereadwithgreatanimation，lookingatEsmond，asmuchastosay，\"Youknowwherethatsimilecamefrom——fromourtalk，andourbottleofBurgundy，theotherday。\"
Thepoet\'stwohearerswerecaughtwithenthusiasm，andapplaudedtheverseswithalltheirmight。ThegentlemanoftheCourtsprangupingreatdelight。\"Notawordmore，mydearsir，\"sayshe。
\"Trustmewiththepapers——I\'lldefendthemwithmylife。LetmereadthemovertomyLordTreasurer，whomIamappointedtoseeinhalfanhour。Iventuretopromise，theversesshalllosenothingbymyreading，andthen，sir，weshallseewhetherLordHalifaxhasarighttocomplainthathisfriend\'spensionisnolongerpaid。\"
Andwithoutmoreado，thecourtierinlaceseizedthemanuscriptpages，placedtheminhisbreastwithhisruffledhandoverhisheart，executedamostgraciouswaveofthehatwiththedisengagedhand，andsmiledandbowedoutoftheroom，leavinganodorofpomanderbehindhim。
\"Doesnotthechamberlookquitedark？\"saysAddison，surveyingit，\"afterthegloriousappearanceanddisappearanceofthatgraciousmessenger？Why，heilluminatedthewholeroom。Yourscarlet，Mr。
Esmond，willbearanylight;butthisthreadbareoldcoatofmine，howverywornitlookedundertheglareofthatsplendor！Iwonderwhethertheywilldoanythingforme，\"hecontinued。\"WhenIcameoutofOxfordintotheworld，mypatronspromisedmegreatthings;
andyouseewheretheirpromiseshavelandedme，inalodginguptwopairofstairs，withasixpennydinnerfromthecook\'sshop。
Well，Isupposethispromisewillgoaftertheothers，andfortunewilljiltme，asthejadehasbeendoinganytimethesesevenyears。\'Ipufftheprostituteaway，\'\"sayshe，smiling，andblowingacloudoutofhispipe。\"Thereisnohardshipinpoverty，Esmond，thatisnotbearable;nohardshipeveninhonestdependencethatanhonestmanmaynotputupwith。IcameoutofthelapofAlmaMater，puffedupwithherpraisesofme，andthinkingtomakeafigureintheworldwiththepartsandlearningwhichhadgotmenosmallnameinourcollege。Theworldistheocean，andIsisandCharwellarebutlittledrops，ofwhichtheseatakesnoaccount。
MyreputationendedamilebeyondMaudlinTower;noonetooknoteofme;andIlearnedthisatleast，tobearupagainstevilfortunewithacheerfulheart。FriendDickhathmadeafigureintheworld，andhaspassedmeintheracelongago。Whatmattersalittlenameoralittlefortune？Thereisnofortunethataphilosophercannotendure。Ihavebeennotunknownasascholar，andyetforcedtolivebyturningbear—leader，andteachingaboytospell。Whatthen？Thelifewasnotpleasant，butpossible——thebearwasbearable。Shouldthisventurefail，IwillgobacktoOxford;andsomeday，whenyouareageneral，youshallfindmeacurateinacassockandbands，andIshallwelcomeyourhonortomycottageinthecountry，andtoamugofpennyale。\'Tisnotpovertythat\'sthehardesttobear，ortheleasthappylotinlife，\"saysMr。Addison，shakingtheashoutofhispipe。\"See，mypipeissmokedout。Shallwehaveanotherbottle？Ihavestillacoupleinthecupboard，andoftherightsort。Nomore？——letusgoabroadandtakeaturnontheMall，orlookinatthetheatreandseeDick\'scomedy。\'Tisnotamasterpieceofwit;butDickisagoodfellow，thoughhedothnotsettheThamesonfire。\"
Withinamonthafterthisday，Mr。Addison\'stickethadcomeupaprodigiousprizeinthelotteryoflife。Allthetownwasinanuproarofadmirationofhispoem，the\"Campaign，\"whichDickSteelewasspoutingateverycoffee—houseinWhitehallandCoventGarden。
ThewitsontheothersideofTempleBarsalutedhimatonceasthegreatestpoettheworldhadseenforages;thepeoplehuzza\'edforMarlboroughandforAddison，and，morethanthis，thepartyinpowerprovidedforthemeritoriouspoet，andAddisongottheappointmentofCommissionerofExcise，whichthefamousMr。Lockevacated，androsefromthisplacetootherdignitiesandhonors;
hisprosperityfromhenceforthtotheendofhislifebeingscarceeverinterrupted。ButIdoubtwhetherhewasnothappierinhisgarretintheHaymarket，thaneverhewasinhissplendidpalaceatKensington;andIbelievethefortunethatcametohimintheshapeofthecountesshiswifewasnobetterthanashrewandavixen。
Gayasthetownwas，\'twasbutadrearyplaceforMr。Esmond，whetherhischarmerwasinoroutofit，andhewasgladwhenhisgeneralgavehimnoticethathewasgoingbacktohisdivisionofthearmywhichlayinwinter—quartersatBois—le—Duc。Hisdearmistressbadehimfarewellwithacheerfulface;herblessingheknewhehadalways，andwheresoeverfatecarriedhim。MistressBeatrixwasawayinattendanceonherMajestyatHamptonCourt，andkissedherfairfingertipstohim，bywayofadieu，whenherodethithertotakehisleave。Shereceivedherkinsmaninawaiting—
room，wheretherewerehalfadozenmoreladiesoftheCourt，sothathishigh—flownspeeches，hadheintendedtomakeany（andverylikelyhedid），wereimpossible;andsheannouncedtoherfriendsthathercousinwasgoingtothearmy，inaseasyamannerasshewouldhavesaidhewasgoingtoachocolate—house。Heaskedwitharatherruefulface，ifshehadanyordersforthearmy？andshewaspleasedtosaythatshewouldlikeamantleofMechlinlace。Shemadehimasaucycurtsyinreplytohisowndismalbow。Shedeignedtokissherfingertipsfromthewindow，whereshestoodlaughingwiththeotherladies，andchancedtoseehimashemadehiswaytothe\"Toy。\"TheDowageratChelseywasnotsorrytopartwithhimthistime。\"Moncher，vousetestristecommeunsermon，\"
shedidhimthehonortosaytohim;indeed，gentlemeninhisconditionarebynomeansamusingcompanions，andbesides，thefickleoldwomanhadnowfoundamuchmoreamiablefavorite，andraffoledforherdarlinglieutenantoftheGuard。Frankremainedbehindforawhile，anddidnotjointhearmytilllater，inthesuiteofhisGracetheCommander—in—Chief。Hisdearmother，onthelastdaybeforeEsmondwentaway，andwhenthethreedinedtogether，madeEsmondpromisetobefriendherboy，andbesoughtFranktotaketheexampleofhiskinsmanasofaloyalgentlemanandbravesoldier，soshewaspleasedtosay;andatparting，betrayednottheleastsignoffalteringorweakness，though，Godknows，thatfondheartwasfearfulenoughwhenotherswereconcerned，thoughsoresoluteinbearingitsownpain。
Esmond\'sgeneralembarkedatHarwich。\'TwasagrandsighttoseeMr。Webbdressedinscarletonthedeck，wavinghishatasouryachtputoff，andthegunssalutedfromtheshore。Harrydidnotseehisviscountagain，untilthreemonthsafter，atBois—le—Duc，whenhisGracetheDukecametotakethecommand，andFrankbroughtabudgetofnewsfromhome:howhehadsuppedwiththisactress，andgottiredofthat;howhehadgotthebetterofMr。St。John，bothoverthebottle，andwithMrs。Mountford，oftheHaymarketTheatre（aveterancharmeroffifty，withwhomtheyoungscapegracechosetofancyhimselfinlove）;howhissisterwasalwaysathertricks，andhadjiltedayoungbaronforanoldearl。\"Ican\'tmakeoutBeatrix，\"hesaid;\"shecaresfornoneofus——sheonlythinksaboutherself;sheisneverhappyunlesssheisquarrelling;
butasformymother——mymother，Harry，isanangel。\"Harrytriedtoimpressontheyoungfellowthenecessityofdoingeverythinginhispowertopleasethatangel;nottodrinktoomuch;nottogointodebt;nottorunaftertheprettyFlemishgirls，andsoforth，asbecameaseniorspeakingtoalad。\"ButLordblessthee！\"theboysaid;\"ImaydowhatIlike，andIknowshewilllovemeallthesame;\"andso，indeed，hedidwhatheliked。Everybodyspoiledhim，andhisgravekinsmanasmuchastherest。
CHAPTERXII。
IGETACOMPANYINTHECAMPAIGNOF1706。
OnWhit—Sunday，thefamous23rdofMay，1706，myyounglordfirstcameunderthefireoftheenemy，whomwefoundpostedinorderofbattle，theirlinesextendingthreemilesormore，overthehighgroundbehindthelittleGheetriver，andhavingonhisleftthelittlevillageofAnderkirkorAutre—eglise，andonhisrightRamillies，whichhasgivenitsnametooneofthemostbrilliantanddisastrousdaysofbattlethathistoryeverhathrecorded。
OurDukehereoncemoremethisoldenemyofBlenheim，theBavarianElectorandtheMarechalVilleroy，overwhomthePrinceofSavoyhadgainedthefamousvictoryofChiari。WhatEnglishmanorFrenchmandothnotknowtheissueofthatday？Havingchosenhisownground，havingaforcesuperiortotheEnglish，andbesidestheexcellentSpanishandBavariantroops，thewholeMaison—du—Roywithhim，themostsplendidbodyofhorseintheworld，——inanhour（andinspiteoftheprodigiousgallantryoftheFrenchRoyalHousehold，whochargedthroughthecentreofourlineandbrokeit，）thismagnificentarmyofVilleroywasutterlyroutedbytroopsthathadbeenmarchingfortwelvehours，andbytheintrepidskillofacommander，whodid，indeed，seeminthepresenceoftheenemytobetheveryGeniusofVictory。
Ithinkitwasmorefromconvictionthanpolicy，thoughthatpolicywassurelythemostprudentintheworld，thatthegreatDukealwaysspokeofhisvictorieswithanextraordinarymodesty，andasifitwasnotsomuchhisownadmirablegeniusandcouragewhichachievedtheseamazingsuccesses，butasifhewasaspecialandfatalinstrumentinthehandsofProvidence，thatwilledirresistiblytheenemy\'soverthrow。Beforehisactionshealwayshadthechurchservicereadsolemnly，andprofessedanundoubtingbeliefthatourQueen\'sarmswereblessedandourvictorysure。
Alltheletterswhichhewritafterhisbattlesshowaweratherthanexultation;andheattributesthegloryoftheseachievements，aboutwhichIhaveheardmerepettyofficersandmenbraggingwithapardonablevainglory，innowisetohisownbraveryorskill，buttothesuperintendingprotectionofheaven，whichheeverseemedtothinkwasourespecialally。Andourarmygottobelieveso，andtheenemylearnttothinksotoo;forweneverenteredintoabattlewithoutaperfectconfidencethatitwastoendinavictory;nordidtheFrench，aftertheissueofBlenheim，andthatastonishingtriumphofRamillies，evermeetuswithoutfeelingthatthegamewaslostbeforeitwasbeguntobeplayed，andthatourgeneral\'sfortunewasirresistible。Here，asatBlenheim，theDuke\'schargerwasshot，and\'twasthoughtforamomenthewasdead。Ashemountedanother，Binfield，hismasterofthehorse，kneelingtoholdhisGrace\'sstirrup，hadhisheadshotawaybyacannon—ball。AFrenchgentlemanoftheRoyalHousehold，thatwasaprisonerwithus，toldthewriterthatatthetimeofthechargeoftheHousehold，whentheirhorseandoursweremingled，anIrishofficerrecognizedthePrince—Duke，andcallingout——\"Marlborough，Marlborough！\"firedhispistolathimabout—portant，andthatascoremorecarbinesandpistolsweredischargedathim。Notonetouchedhim:herodethroughtheFrenchCuriassierssword—in—hand，andentirelyunhurt，andcalmandsmiling，ralliedtheGermanHorse，thatwasreelingbeforetheenemy，broughttheseandtwentysquadronsofOrkney\'sbackuponthem，anddrovetheFrenchacrosstheriver，againleadingthechargehimself，anddefeatingtheonlydangerousmovetheFrenchmadethatday。
Major—GeneralWebbcommandedontheleftofourline，andhadhisownregimentundertheordersoftheirbelovedcolonel。Neitherhenortheybeliedtheircharacterforgallantryonthisoccasion;butitwasabouthisdearyounglordthatEsmondwasanxious，neverhavingsightofhimsaveonce，inthewholecourseoftheday，whenhebroughtanorderfromtheCommander—in—ChieftoMr。Webb。Whenourhorse，havingchargedroundtherightflankoftheenemybyOverkirk，hadthrownhimintoentireconfusion，ageneraladvancewasmade，andourwholelineoffoot，crossingthelittleriverandthemorass，ascendedthehighgroundwheretheFrenchwereposted，cheeringastheywent，theenemyretreatingbeforethem。\'Twasaserviceofmoreglorythandanger，theFrenchbattalionsneverwaitingtoexchangepushofpikeorbayonetwithours;andthegunnersflyingfromtheirpieces，whichourlineleftbehindusastheyadvanced，andtheFrenchfellback。
Atfirstitwasaretreatorderlyenough;butpresentlytheretreatbecamearout，andafrightfulslaughteroftheFrenchensuedonthispanic:sothatanarmyofsixtythousandmenwasutterlycrushedanddestroyedinthecourseofacoupleofhours。Itwasasifahurricanehadseizedacompactnumerousfleet，flungitalltothewinds，shattered，sunk，andannihilatedit:afflavitDeus，etdissipatisunt。TheFrencharmyofFlanderswasgone，theirartillery，theirstandards，theirtreasure，provisions，andammunitionwereallleftbehindthem:thepoordevilshadevenfledwithouttheirsoup—kettles，whichareasmuchthepalladiaoftheFrenchinfantryasoftheGrandSeignior\'sJanissaries，androundwhichtheyrallyevenmorethanroundtheirlilies。
Thepursuit，andadreadfulcarnagewhichensued（forthedregsofabattle，howeverbrilliant，areeverabaseresidueofrapine，cruelty，anddrunkenplunder，）wascarriedfarbeyondthefieldofRamillies。
HonestLockwood，Esmond\'sservant，nodoubtwantedtobeamongthemaraudershimselfandtakehisshareofthebooty;forwhen，theactionover，andthetroopsgottotheirgroundforthenight，theCaptainbadeLockwoodgetahorse，heasked，withaveryruefulcountenance，whetherhishonorwouldhavehimcometoo;buthishonoronlybadehimgoabouthisownbusiness，andJackhoppedawayquitedelightedassoonashesawhismastermounted。Esmondmadehisway，andnotwithoutdangeranddifficulty，tohisGrace\'sheadquarters，andfoundforhimselfveryquicklywheretheaide—de—
camps\'quarterswere，inanout—buildingofafarm，whereseveralofthesegentlemenwereseated，drinkingandsinging，andatsupper。Ifhehadanyanxietyabouthisboy，\'twasrelievedatonce。OneofthegentlemenwassingingasongtoatunethatMr。
FarquharandMr。Gaybothhadusedintheiradmirablecomedies，andverypopularinthearmyofthatday;andafterthesongcameachorus，\"Overthehillsandfaraway;\"andEsmondheardFrank\'sfreshvoice，soaring，asitwere，overthesongsoftherestoftheyoungmen——avoicethathadalwaysacertainartless，indescribablepathoswithit，andindeedwhichcausedMr。Esmond\'seyestofillwithtearsnow，outofthankfulnesstoGodthechildwassafeandstillalivetolaughandsing。
WhenthesongwasoverEsmondenteredtheroom，whereheknewseveralofthegentlemenpresent，andtheresatmyyounglord，havingtakenoffhiscuirass，hiswaistcoatopen，hisfaceflushed，hislongyellowhairhangingoverhisshoulders，drinkingwiththerest;theyoungest，gayest，handsomestthere。AssoonashesawEsmond，heclappeddownhisglass，andrunningtowardshisfriend，putbothhisarmsroundhimandembracedhim。Theother\'svoicetrembledwithjoyashegreetedthelad;hehadthoughtbutnowashestoodinthecourt—yardundertheclear—shiningmoonlight:
\"GreatGod！whatasceneofmurderisherewithinamileofus;
whathundredsandthousandshavefaceddangerto—day;andherearetheseladssingingovertheircups，andthesamemoonthatisshiningoveryonderhorridfieldislookingdownonWalcoteverylikely，whilemyladysitsandthinksaboutherboythatisatthewar。\"AsEsmondembracedhisyoungpupilnow，\'twaswiththefeelingofquitereligiousthankfulnessandanalmostpaternalpleasurethathebeheldhim。
Roundhisneckwasastarwithastripedribbon，thatwasmadeofsmallbrilliantsandmightbeworthahundredcrowns。\"Look，\"sayshe，\"won\'tthatbeaprettypresentformother？\"
\"WhogaveyoutheOrder？\"saysHarry，salutingthegentleman:\"didyouwinitinbattle？\"
\"Iwonit，\"criedtheother，\"withmyswordandmyspear。Therewasamousquetairethathaditroundhisneck——suchabigmousquetaire，asbigasGeneralWebb。Icalledouttohimtosurrender，andthatI\'dgivehimquarter:hecalledmeapetitpolissonandfiredhispistolatme，andthensentitatmyheadwithacurse。Irodeathim，sir，drovemyswordrightunderhisarm—hole，andbrokeitintherascal\'sbody。Ifoundapurseinhisholsterwithsixty—fiveLouisinit，andabundleoflove—
letters，andaflaskofHungary—water。Vivelaguerre！therearethetenpiecesyoulentme。Ishouldliketohaveafighteveryday;\"andhepulledathislittlemoustacheandbadeaservantbringasuppertoCaptainEsmond。
Harryfelltowithaverygoodappetite;hehadtastednothingsincetwentyhoursago，atearlydawn。MasterGrandson，whoreadthis，doyoulookforthehistoryofbattlesandsieges？Go，findthemintheproperbooks;thisisonlythestoryofyourgrandfatherandhisfamily。Farmorepleasanttohimthanthevictory，thoughforthattoohemaysaymeminissejuvat，itwastofindthatthedaywasover，andhisdearyoungCastlewoodwasunhurt。
Andwouldyou，sirrah，wishtoknowhowitwasthatasedateCaptainofFoot，astudiousandrathersolitarybachelorofeightornineandtwentyyearsofage，whodidnotcareverymuchforthejollitieswhichhiscomradesengagedin，andwasneverknowntolosehisheartinanygarrison—town——shouldyouwishtoknowwhysuchamanhadsoprodigiousatenderness，andtendedsofondlyaboyofeighteen，wait，mygoodfriend，untilthouartinlovewiththyschoolfellow\'ssister，andthenseehowmightytenderthouwiltbetowardshim。Esmond\'sgeneralandhisGracethePrince—Dukewerenotoriouslyatvariance，andtheformer\'sfriendshipwasinnowiselikelytoadvanceanyman\'spromotionofwhoseservicesWebbspokewell;butratherlikelytoinjurehim，sothearmysaid，inthefavorofthegreaterman。However，Mr。EsmondhadthegoodfortunetobementionedveryadvantageouslybyMajor—GeneralWebbinhisreportaftertheaction;andthemajorofhisregimentandtwoofthecaptainshavingbeenkilleduponthedayofRamillies，Esmond，whowassecondofthelieutenants，gothiscompany，andhadthehonorofservingasCaptainEsmondinthenextcampaign。
Mylordwenthomeinthewinter，butEsmondwasafraidtofollowhim。Hisdearmistresswrotehimlettersmorethanonce，thankinghim，asmothersknowhowtothank，forhiscareandprotectionofherboy，extollingEsmond\'sownmeritswithagreatdealmorepraisethantheydeserved;forhedidhisdutynobetterthananyotherofficer;andspeakingsometimes，thoughgentlyandcautiously，ofBeatrix。Newscamefromhomeofatleasthalfadozengrandmatchesthatthebeautifulmaidofhonorwasabouttomake。Shewasengagedtoanearl，ourgentlemanofSt。James\'ssaid，andthenjiltedhimforaduke，who，inhisturn，haddrawnoff。EarlordukeitmightbewhoshouldwinthisHelen，Esmondknewshewouldneverbestowherselfonapoorcaptain。Herconduct，itwasclear，waslittlesatisfactorytohermother，whoscarcelymentionedher，orelsethekindladythoughtitwasbesttosaynothing，andleavetimetoworkoutitscure。Atanyrate，Harrywasbestawayfromthefatalobjectwhichalwayswroughthimsomuchmischief;andsoheneveraskedforleavetogohome，butremainedwithhisregimentthatwasgarrisonedinBrussels，whichcityfellintoourhandswhenthevictoryofRamilliesdrovetheFrenchoutofFlanders。
CHAPTERXIII。
IMEETANOLDACQUAINTANCEINFLANDERS，ANDFINDMYMOTHER\'SGRAVE
ANDMYOWNCRADLETHERE。
BeingonedayintheChurchofSt。Gudule，atBrussels，admiringtheantiquesplendorofthearchitecture（andalwaysentertainingagreattendernessandreverencefortheMotherChurch，thathathbeenaswickedlypersecutedinEnglandaseversheherselfpersecutedinthedaysofherprosperity），Esmondsawkneelingatasidealtaranofficerinagreenuniformcoat，verydeeplyengagedindevotion。SomethingfamiliarinthefigureandpostureofthekneelingmanstruckCaptainEsmond，evenbeforehesawtheofficer\'sface。Asheroseup，puttingawayintohispocketalittleblackbreviary，suchaspriestsuse，Esmondbeheldacountenancesolikethatofhisfriendandtutorofearlydays，FatherHolt，thathebrokeoutintoanexclamationofastonishmentandadvancedasteptowardsthegentleman，whowasmakinghiswayoutofchurch。TheGermanofficertoolookedsurprisedwhenhesawEsmond，andhisfacefrombeingpalegrewsuddenlyred。Bythismarkofrecognition，theEnglishmanknewthathecouldnotbemistaken;andthoughtheotherdidnotstop，butonthecontraryratherhastilywalkedawaytowardsthedoor，Esmondpursuedhimandfacedhimoncemore，astheofficer，helpinghimselftoholywater，turnedmechanicallytowardsthealtar，tobowtoiterehequittedthesacrededifice。
\"MyFather！\"saysEsmondinEnglish。
\"Silence！Idonotunderstand。IdonotspeakEnglish，\"saystheotherinLatin。
Esmondsmiledatthissignofconfusion，andrepliedinthesamelanguage——\"IshouldknowmyFatherinanygarment，blackorwhite，shavenorbearded;\"fortheAustrianofficerwashabitedquiteinthemilitarymanner，andhadaswarlikeamustachioasanyPandour。
Helaughed——wewereonthechurchstepsbythistime，passingthroughthecrowdofbeggarsthatusuallyisthereholdinguplittletrinketsforsaleandwhiningforalms。\"YouspeakLatin，\"
sayshe，\"intheEnglishway，HarryEsmond;youhaveforsakentheoldtrueRomantongueyouonceknew。\"Histonewasveryfrank，andfriendlyquite;thekindvoiceoffifteenyearsback;hegaveEsmondhishandashespoke。
\"Othershavechangedtheircoatstoo，myFather，\"saysEsmond，glancingathisfriend\'smilitarydecoration。
\"Hush！IamMr。orCaptainvonHoltz，intheBavarianElector\'sservice，andonamissiontohisHighnessthePrinceofSavoy。YoucankeepasecretIknowfromoldtimes。\"
\"CaptainvonHoltz，\"saysEsmond，\"Iamyourveryhumbleservant。\"
\"Andyou，too，havechangedyourcoat，\"continuestheotherinhislaughingway;\"IhaveheardofyouatCambridgeandafterwards:wehavefriendseverywhere;andIamtoldthatMr。EsmondatCambridgewasasgoodafencerashewasabadtheologian。\"（So，thinksEsmond，myoldmaitred\'armeswasaJesuit，astheysaid。）
\"Perhapsyouareright，\"saystheother，readinghisthoughtsquiteasheusedtodoinolddays;\"youwereallbutkilledatHochstedtofawoundintheleftside。YouwerebeforethatatVigo，aide—
de—camptotheDukeofOrmonde。YougotyourcompanytheotherdayafterRamillies;yourgeneralandthePrince—Dukearenotfriends;
heisoftheWebbsofLydiardTregoze，inthecountyofYork，arelationofmyLordSt。John。Yourcousin，M。deCastlewood，servedhisfirstcampaignthisyearintheGuard;yes，Idoknowafewthings，asyousee。\"
CaptainEsmondlaughedinhisturn。\"Youhaveindeedacuriousknowledge，\"hesays。AfoibleofMr。Holt\'s，whodidknowmoreaboutbooksandmenthan，perhaps，almostanypersonEsmondhadevermet，wasomniscience;thusineverypointhehereprofessedtoknow，hewasnearlyright，butnotquite。Esmond\'swoundwasintherightside，nottheleft;hisfirstgeneralwasGeneralLumley;
Mr。WebbcameoutofWiltshire，notoutofYorkshire;andsoforth。
Esmonddidnotthinkfittocorrecthisoldmasterinthesetriflingblunders，buttheyservedtogivehimaknowledgeoftheother\'scharacter，andhesmiledtothinkthatthiswashisoracleofearlydays;onlynownolongerinfallibleordivine。
\"Yes，\"continuesFatherHolt，orCaptainvonHoltz，\"foramanwhohasnotbeeninEnglandtheseeightyears，IknowwhatgoesoninLondonverywell。TheoldDeanisdead，myLadyCastlewood\'sfather。DoyouknowthatyourrecusantbishopswantedtoconsecratehimBishopofSouthampton，andthatCollierisBishopofThetfordbythesameimposition？ThePrincessAnnehasthegoutandeatstoomuch;whentheKingreturns，Collierwillbeanarchbishop。\"
\"Amen！\"saysEsmond，laughing;\"andIhopetoseeyourEminencenolongerinjack—boots，butredstockings，atWhitehall。\"
\"Youarealwayswithus——Iknowthat——IheardofthatwhenyouwereatCambridge;sowasthelatelord;soistheyoungviscount。\"
\"Andsowasmyfatherbeforeme，\"saidMr。Esmond，lookingcalmlyattheother，whodidnot，however，showtheleastsignofintelligenceinhisimpenetrablegrayeyes——howwellHarryrememberedthemandtheirlook！onlycrows\'feetwerewrinkledroundthem——marksofblackoldTimehadsettledthere。
Esmond\'sfacechosetoshownomoresignofmeaningthantheFather\'s。Theremayhavebeenontheonesideandtheotherjustthefaintestglitterofrecognition，asyouseeabayonetshiningoutofanambush;buteachpartyfellback，wheneverythingwasagaindark。
\"Andyou，moncapitaine，wherehaveyoubeen？\"saysEsmond，turningawaytheconversationfromthisdangerousground，whereneitherchosetoengage。
\"ImayhavebeeninPekin，\"sayshe，\"orImayhavebeeninParaguay——whoknowswhere？IamnowCaptainvonHoltz，intheserviceofhisElectoralHighness，cometonegotiateexchangeofprisonerswithhisHighnessofSavoy。\"
\'Twaswellknownthatverymanyofficersinourarmywerewell—
affectedtowardstheyoungkingatSt。Germains，whoserighttothethronewasundeniable，andwhoseaccessiontoit，atthedeathofhissister，byfarthegreaterpartoftheEnglishpeoplewouldhavepreferred，tothehavingapettyGermanprinceforasovereign，aboutwhosecruelty，rapacity，boorishmanners，andodiousforeignways，athousandstorieswerecurrent。ItwoundedourEnglishpridetothinkthatashabbyHigh—Dutchduke，whoserevenueswerenotatitheasgreatasthoseofmanyoftheprincesofourancientEnglishnobility，whocouldnotspeakawordofourlanguage，andwhomwechosetorepresentasasortofGermanboor，feedingontrain—oilandsour—crout，withabevyofmistressesinabarn，shouldcometoreignovertheproudestandmostpolishedpeopleintheworld。Werewe，theconquerorsoftheGrandMonarch，tosubmittothatignobledomination？WhatdidtheHanoverian\'sProtestantismmattertous？Wasitnotnotorious（weweretoldandledtobelieveso）thatoneofthedaughtersofthisProtestantherowasbeingbredupwithnoreligionatall，asyet，andreadytobemadeLutheranorRoman，accordingasthehusbandmightbewhomherparentsshouldfindforher？Thistalk，veryidleandabusivemuchofitwas，wentonatahundredmess—tablesinthearmy;therewasscarceanensignthatdidnothearit，orjoininit，andeverybodyknew，oraffectedtoknow，thattheCommander—in—
Chiefhimselfhadrelationswithhisnephew，theDukeofBerwick（\'twasbyanEnglishman，thankGod，thatwewerebeatenatAlmanza），andthathisGracewasmostanxioustorestoretheroyalraceofhisbenefactors，andtorepairhisformertreason。
Thisiscertain，thatforaconsiderableperiodnoofficerintheDuke\'sarmylostfavorwiththeCommander—in—Chiefforentertainingorproclaiminghisloyaltytowardstheexiledfamily。WhentheChevalierdeSt。George，astheKingofEnglandcalledhimself，camewiththedukesoftheFrenchbloodroyal，tojointheFrencharmyunderVendosme，hundredsofourssawhimandcheeredhim，andweallsaidhewaslikehisfatherinthis，who，seeingtheactionofLaHoguefoughtbetweentheFrenchshipsandours，wasonthesideofhisnativecountryduringthebattle。Butthis，atleasttheChevalierknew，andeveryoneknew，that，howeverwellourtroopsandtheirgeneralmightbeinclinedtowardstheprincepersonally，inthefaceoftheenemytherewasnoquestionatall。
WherevermyLordDukefoundaFrencharmy，hewouldfightandbeatit，ashedidatOudenarde，twoyearsafterRamillies，wherehisGraceachievedanotherofhistranscendentvictories;andthenobleyoungprince，whochargedgallantlyalongwiththemagnificentMaison—du—Roy，senttocomplimenthisconquerorsaftertheaction。
Inthisbattle，wheretheyoungElectoralPrinceofHanoverbehavedhimselfverygallantly，fightingonourside，Esmond\'sdearGeneralWebbdistinguishedhimselfprodigiously，exhibitingconsummateskillandcoolnessasageneral，andfightingwiththepersonalbraveryofacommonsoldier。Esmond\'sgood—luckagainattendedhim;heescapedwithoutahurt，althoughmorethanathirdofhisregimentwaskilled，hadagainthehonortobefavorablymentionedinhiscommander\'sreport，andwasadvancedtotherankofmajor。
