SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE,

The Letters and Dispatches of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, Rom 1702 to 1712. Edited by General the Bight Honourable Sir George Murray. Volumes I. II.

Murray. Thelma,

Egypt under Mehemet AS. By Prince Fackler Muskan. In two volames. Colburrt• FICTION,

The Fortunes of the Scattergood Family. By Albert Smith, Author of "The Ad- ventures of Mr. Ledbury," "The Wassail Bowl," Re. In three volumes. Bentley.

THE MARLBOROUGH DISPATCHES.

Trim present Duke of Marlborough having determined to build a muni- ment-room at Blenheim for the reception of the whole of the family archives, an examination was instituted into some papers kept at a record-room in the "steward's house" at Remington. A complete col- lection of the public correspondence of his great ancestor, from 1702 to 1712, was here discovered, through the determination of Mr. Whateley, the solicitor, to examine for hinosPlc as set forth in the following certificate.

"The Duke of Marlborough having, among other improvements at Blenheim, built a muniment-room, in the month of October 1842, I superintended, as his Grace's solicitor, the removal to it of the deeds and documents from Hensington, near Woodstock. They had been deposited for a longer period than any person remembers in a record-room in the house there, which had been appropriated to the residence of some former stewards. In the same room were three large chests, unlocked, placed one upon another. I was told by the person who had the charge of the room, that these chests merely contained old and useless accounts. I thought it right, however, to examine them myself. In the two upper cheats I found old militia accounts and other papers of no value or importance; in the third and undermost, I found eighteen folio books bound in vellum. On looking into them, I discovered, to my great surprise, that they contained manuscript copies of dispatches and letters of John Duke of Marlborough, in English, French, and some few in Latin. I delivered the books to the Duke, who was not aware of their existence, nor were any of his Grace's connexions; and it is clear from his work that they were equally unknown to Core, who wrote John Duke of Marlborough's Life.

"J. WELCIIMAN WIIATELEY."

The correspondence thus singularly buried, and singularly exhumed, was placed in the hands of Sir George Murray, with a view to selection and publication. The principle on which the editor proceeded in his task, was to withhold nothing that could throw light upon any transaction worthy of notice, or upon the character of Marlborough himself; whilst he aimed at offering, especially to military men, as much instruction as possible in the management of large and difficult affairs, from the ex- ample of so great a master. The present selection is embraced in three very ample octavo volumes, ranging in size and appearance with The Wellington Dispatches. The first and second volumes have been placed in our hands early, by the attention of the publisher; and though the third may reach us in the course of the week, to these our present at- tention will be confined.

Except two letters of compliment to the Bing of Prussia and the Elector of Hanover, (afterwards George the First,) the correspondence begins on the 17th May 1702, at Margate, whither Marlborough had been driven by an unfavourable wind, on his voyage for Holland to take command of the forces in the Low Countries, confederated against Louis the Fourteenth. The second volume closes in July 1706, with the sur- render of Ostend and the preparations to attack Menin. The two great battles are Blenheim and Ramillies: the capture of cities and passage of

rivers are too many to enumerate; but a glance at the list forcibly-recalls the trait noted by Voltaire—"Cet homme qui n'a jamais assiege de

villa n'ait prise, ni donne de bataffie n'ait gaguee." The sub-

jects of the letters are of course various—on the politics, wars, and events of the time; but perhaps scarcely so various as might be looked for from the chief of an allied army, which he was often obliged to manage rather than command, the head of a discordant, timorous, and slothful con- federacy, with the endless demands, great and small, that must be made on such a man. Yet, this remark is perhaps hypercritical ; for it was suggested by the variety of the correspondence itself; and trouble and correspondence enough he often had to get the Allies (except the States of Holland) to furnish troops, horses, or means of conveyance. The letters go far to refute the exaggerated statement of Chester- field, that Marlborough " was eminently illiterate, wrote bad English, and spelled it still worse." His other assertion, that "' he had no share of what is commonly called parts," may be true in the sense of Chester- field; but he had what Chesterfield, with all his mental spirit and highly- cultivated wit and judgment, wanted—reach of mind to take .a com- prehensive view of the principles that govern, great affairs both civil and military : for as, in the case of Wellington, battles were rather an in- cident in MaribOrosigh'-s tactics than a necessary-part of them. This opinion of the Duke's illiterateness was, however, generally held by his contemporaries • in which his fate was also like that of Wellington. Most of us can remember when the Great Captain was looked upon ass sort of "inspired idiot" in the military line ; " a man of one idea," which he was scarcely capable ef expressing.

The parallel character of these two great commanders and statesmen will naturally suggest a recurrence from the-Marlborough Dispatches to

the Wellington Dispatches: and the interest of the latter will prepon- derate, either in a popular or an historical point of view. Besides the

critical reason, that a contemporary's -manner is always more attractive to his contemporaries than to any other generation, arid that the personal interest felt for a living character of nearly equal merit is much greater than can generally be excited for the dual, there is more variety of subject in Wellington's correspondence. 'The peculiar nature of .the service in India threw upon him a wider range of business of a more strange and striking character. National differences in the Peninsula were not so great as in the East : but the french Revolution 'had broken up the old systems of war and politics, suggesting if. not forcing a more critical exposition of affairs ; whereas Marlborough was dealing with well-known things. As we know not how much of the eighteen folios is to be printed, it might be incorrect to say that he was more averse to writing than Wellington ; but in Marlborough's age writing was not so , generally cultivated as a power in itself, or so called for as it is under the East India Company's rule. He despatched, too, a great deal of bu- siness by personal conference ; in the winter quitting the army for the Hague and London, and visiting if necessary the other allies,—for it was to his powers of personal persuasion that Voltaire attributes his diploma- tic success, and Chesterfield, hyperbolically, his success in life.

In strongly-marked character the Marlborough correspondence is de- ficient: there is none of the causticity, point, terseness, or seeming blunt- ness, which give such raciness to many passages of Wellington's letters. It has, however, a character of its own ; but of so subtile a nature, that -unless the letters be read with a previous knowledge of the manners of the man, and of the commentaries which have been written upon them, their spirit will very likely be missed. The gentleman, in the man of the world's sense, with the favourite maxim of the school, "suaviter in modo, • sed fortiter in re," peeps out in almost every epistle. It is indeed curious to see amid a profusion of compliments and polite terms of phraseology, how distinctly the res is presented, and how steadily it is insisted upon,

• though contained very often in a single sentence. Chesterfield, who must have had some secret dislike to Marlborough, constantly insists upon the art" of his graciousness—" art of which he well knew and enjoyed the advantages." This we doubt, except as in all cases of eminent excellence art assists the natural bent : but if art it were, it had become a second nature. His modes of expression differ with the rank of the person ; but he is always polite, without the affectation of politeness except in mere forms of compliment ; and he is considerate and even kind in eases where the parties could have been nothing to him, and where they would not know of his movements in their favour. The following reply to a corn-

' munication from the Board of Ordnance may not be an example of this olass, for he might take an interest in the person spoken of; but it is an -example of his mode of dealing with business and removing from em- ployment, as well as the consideration he gave to the bread of inferiors. I have likewise perused_ the extracts you send me of the letters from Major Sorgard and Mr. Jackson, the Commissary of the Artillery in Portugal; by which I not only see the ill condition of the stores in that country, but that her Majesty's service may suffer further inconveniences if Mr. Jackson should be continued any longer in that employment; and therefore shall leave it to you to supply his place as soon as may be by a more proper person: only should be glad something else -might be found out for Jackson at the same time, where he might be more useful an the service and have some little subsistence."

But notwithstanding the immoveable calmness of his temper, and his habitual politeness, he could when necessary employ the "well-guarded ' -expressions of a discreet and dignified resentment.' The following case -explains itself. Of the persons, Stepney was Envoy to the Emperor of

' Germany ; and was celebrated as a poet in his own day, though now he only maintains a mummy-like preservation, by having been one of the translators of Juvenal, and by Johnson having included him in his Lives If the Poets. The Comte be Wratislaw was an Imperial Minister.

"TO mit. sTEFNEY.

• " St. James's, 6th February 1705.

" Sir—I received yesterday your letter of the 31st past, and had one at the same time from Comte Wratislaw, with a copy of the paper you sent to Comte llama relating to the differerce between you; which I own does not a little sur- prise me that you should mention the extracts of letters written by him and -spread abroad in England full of false suggestions against you, and that under • colour of the Emperor's authority; for by what I can learn from the Secretaries .or otherwise, I can find no manner of reason for such proceedings on your part, especially since you have been often told by them as well as myself that her Majesty (to whom alone you are accountable) is entirely satisfied with all your - transactions at the Court of Vienna; therefore, as I now write to Comte Wratis- law that I can nowise approve of your proceedings, as you will find by the inclosed copy, I should be glad for my own satisfaction that you would explain yourself a little farther from whence it is you have all these reports. You see I have no reserve with you, since I send you what I write to him; but must desire that neither this nor anything else you may have from me may be exposed. "What I mentioned of your going to Turin was merely out of friendship to you, thinking you might be Wad of a step into those parts, and that the Duke of Savoy might not be left without a Minister from the Queen near him while Mr. Hill went to Venice: but since there is no likelihood of his going thither, there will be no need of answering your queries relating to that journey. "I am truly, Sir, your most bumble servant, M."

The following relates to the same business ; and save for the date, (but • there seems on several occasions confusion in dates,) would appear to be the enclosure spoken of.

"TO THE COMTE DE WEATLSLAW.

"A St. James, ce 9 Fevrier 1705.

" Monsieur—.Pai recu avec beaucoup de surprise la lettre que vous m'avez ,krite le 31 du passe, et n'en ai pas en moms de voir la copie que vous m'envoyez de Is lettre que M. de Stepney ecrit I M. Is Comte de Harach, que je ne saurais sucunernent appronver, le cinyant tout-i-fait mal-fonde dans sea suggestions, pule' Line ni le Secretaire d'Etat, ni personae id, peat comprendre comment 11 passe etre antorise d'ecrire de la manikre; mats il feat aussi que is vous avoue en mane temps, quo je le prends de tres-mauvaise part que vous me puissiez croire capable d'exposer des extraits de yes lettres. Je m'etais attendn I un tent autre traite- anent de votre part. Jo vois aural par tout le rests de votre lettre que notre cor- respondence dolt etre I l'avenir fort sterile, et comme pent- etre vous n'en aurez pas garde copie, je vous la renvoie aftn que vous puis' siez voir la froideur avec lactelle vous me quitter- Cependant je semi toujours,

" Monsieur, votre, &c. M."

So far as we have seen, there is in Marlborough no trace of the critical investigation with which Wellington applies himself to discover, and ex- pound for the benefit of the civil and military services, the principles of the matter in hand, whether great or small. This may arise from the more worldly character of Marlborough's mind, which was satisfied to accomplish his immediate task, without deducing the laws by which he did it. They have both the same broad simplicity of view, and an equal clearness of style. Perhaps of the two Marlborough's is the clearer, from the shortness of his periods. But he is more sparing of his pen than Wellington- his arguments are fewer, and more shortly expressed—there is less of

Wellington; writer. His brevity, however, is not the curtness of a man who says little because he cannot, say much, but who is brief by confining 'himself tolhat Which is essential ; as in this reply to one of those propositions which peadeful ministers are apt to fall upon respect.. lag military affairs.

TO THE EARL OF NOTTINGHAM.

" Camp at Everbeek, 17th August 1702. "My Lord—I have had the favour of your ktter of the 28th of the last month; and in form you can give no answer to Count Wratislaw's Inn ition till I have consulted the Ministers at the Hague. I believe 10,000 English would live cheaper and be better pleased with a winter's quarter at Treves in Holland. I do not doubt but your Lordship Sees the consequence of this pro- , ..;tion, which would be to send 10,000 men out of this service into the peror's."

Although his style is close enough, and not devoid of the cogency which is given by closeness of diction and grasp of view, he seldom rises to force of expression; perhaps his habitual good-breeding re- strained him. Even labia orders there is a certain degree of suavity, and nothing, as may be supposed, of the imperator-like manner of Wel- lington. The following directions, upon what, probably was a gross case of want of zeal for the service, are about the sternest we have yet met.

"TO LIEUT.-0E26. RAMSAY.

" St. James's, 17th March 1705. "Sir—Being informed that the convoys have waited a considerable time in Scot- land for the recruits, and that the officers pretend they are not yet ready, I pray you will cause notice to be given immediately to all the officers of the Earl of Orkney's, Brigadier Ferguson's, the Lord Mordannt's, and Colonel Macartney's regiments, that they forthwith embark with what men they have, without staying for any others; giving notice at the same time to the Commander of the convoy that he sail with the first opportunity of wind and weather. You will please likewise to let the officers know, that whoever does not come over with this oppor- tunity will be respited upon the next muster, antl-their commissions be soon after disposed of to others.

The season of the year being already far advanced, you will give me leave earnestly to recommend the despatch of these matters to your care.

"I am, Sir, yours, &c.

If allowance be made for the differences of the age, the circum- stances, and the warfare itself, the military character of both these commanders will be found very similar. Battles and sieges were sub- ordinate matters, either taken incidental advantage of or adopted to carry their greater objects into effect. When Marlborough, to the great terror of the Dutchmen, marched from the Low Countries to the Danube to effect a junction with Prince Louis and Prince Eugene, it was not to fight the battle of Blenheim opportunity for which did not arise till a day or two before it took place, or the action of Schellenberg to which this re- mark may be extended, or even to lay siege to Ingoldstadt and Ulm, ex- cept as they were necessary to the command of the country : Bavaria was the object—to induce the Elector to withdraw from the French alliance, or to render him powerless if he would not, at -the same time that the allied force was disposed of to the best advantage,-and the French armies were called off from the .power of. attacking Holland by the necessity of looking after Marlborough. Attack upon the vulnerable point was no doubt, the essence of the strategy ; but, as we have said, with a larger object, attainable without mere fi,ghting, though victory of course would give it more completely. Blenheim gave it in the fullest extent.

The same similarity is visible in the details, or rather in the military economy of the army. "Pay and feed" was as much an object -with Marlborough as Wellington. The discipline of the troops, the mainte- nance of communications, the attention to the health and comfort of the men with the measure of loss by a rapid attack against the deaths by sickness from a safer but slower mode of action, and the protection of the country against military licence of any kind, were as rigidly carried out by Marlborough as by Wellington. But in Marlborough's corre- spondence these deductions must be drawn out by the reader from scat-

tered instances' they are not, as by Wellington, laid down almost in the form of laws. The opinions of the age, and perhaps its necessities, did not permit the principle of protection to be carried so far as in our days. The seat of war was occasionally laid under contribution for money, food, and transport; and sometimes the requisitions are curiously polite. De- vastation of the enemy's country was a means of injury, others failing,— as when the "obstinacy" of the Elector of Bavaria induced Marlborough to burn the neighbourhood of Munich, not having sufficient ordnance to attempt the siege of the capital. In point of attention to minute details, Marlborough certainly equalled Wellington • and in the management of various conflicting interests and wrongheaded or refractory courts, excelled him—at least the latter never had to do with such a number'of petty states, with their contingencies of miniature armies. Judging from what we see, and from what Sir George Murray says in his preface, we think Marlborough's power of work was equal to Wellington's, though he was then between fifty and sixty. After a hard day's journey of sixty miles, through the roads of Germany a century and a half ago, he writes letters enough to serve common men for a fair day's task. To be sure, they are short, for he says he is tired.

Like some other commanders, both fail in the description of their battles ; that is, they do not to non-military readers convey any distinct idea of the engagement, or of the principle of the manceuvres by which it was lost and gamed. Marlborough himself seems to have been con.sciousoi this deficiency in the ars scribendi, and carried Dr. Hare, the family clergy- man with him, to write a journal of the campaign ; extracts from whiot Sir George Murray quotes on the occasion of fights. Marlborough, how- ever, has this advantage over his successor—he impresses the reader with a notion that a great battle has been fought, and a victory won: he presents some idea of nature in the character of the ground ; he sums up the spoils ; he is moved from his well-bred equanimity ; he tells of the present advantages, and indulges in future hopes,—though be hopes wisely, for it turns out truly. This short specimen of Blenheim is Erna a despatch to Harley.

"About six we came in view of the enemy; who we found did not expect so early a visit. The cannon began to play at half-an-hourafter eight. They formed themselves in two bodies; the Elector, With M. Marsin and their troops opposite our. right, and M. De Tallard with all his opposed to our left, which lastfell to my share. They had two little rivulets besides a morass before them, which we were obliged to pass over in their view; and Prince Eugene was forced to take a great coinpass to come to the enemy; so that it was one o'clock before the battle began: it lasted with great vigour till sunset, when the enemy were obliged to re- tire, and by the blessing of God, we obtained a complete victory. We have cut off great numbers of them, as well in the action as in the retreat, besides upwards of thirty squadrons of the French which we pushed into the Danube, where we saw the greatest part of them perish, M. De Tallard with several of his general officers being taken prisoners at the same time; and in the village of Blenheim, which the enemy baa intrenched and fortified, and where they made the greatest opposition, we obliged twenty-six battalions and twelve squadrons of dragoons to surrender themselves prisoners at discretion. We took likewise all their tents standing, with their cannon and ammunition, as also a great number of standards, kettle-drums, and colours, in the action; so that I reckon the greatest part of M. Tallard's army is taken or destroyed. The bravery of all our troops on this oc- casion cannot be expressed; the generals as well as the officers and soldiers be- having themselves with the greatest courage and resolution, the horse and dragoons

having been obliged to charge four or five several times. a S •

"I pray you will likewise inform yourself and let me know her Majesty's plea- sure, as well relating to M. De Tallard and the other general officers as for the dis posal of near 1,200 other officers, and between 8,000 and 9,000 common soldiers, who being all made prisoners by her Majesty's troops are entirely at her disposal; but as the charge of subsisting these officers and men must be very great, I pre- sume her Majesty will be inclined that they be exchanged for any other prisoners that offer. I should likewise be glad to receive her Majesty's directions for the disposal of the standards and colours, whereof I have not yet the number, but guess there cannot be less than a hundred; which is more than has been taken in any battle these many years."

The volumes have been edited with great care and pains by Sir George Murray ; who has prefixed an introductory view of the state of Europe on the opening of the War of Succession, and has, at fitting opportunities in the course of the work, given an account of the progress of affairs in Italy and the Peninsula, besides presenting constant extracts from the bulletins, in the shape of foot-notes; and he proposes to add in an ap- pendix some notice of the principal persons mentioned in the correspond- ence. In an artistica' sense, the materials are not perhaps exhibited to the best advantage. Where the whole of a series is given, as in the Wellington Dispatches, the chronological order is the readiest and most natural, and perhaps the best arrangement. But if selection be admit- ted, that principle is no longer essential, and any other plan may be chosen. In the present case, we think an arrangement by subjects, ex- hibited in distinct division, would have been better. Thus, we would have classed together in consecutive order the whole of the leading letters relative to the campaign upon the Danube in 1704, from the first glimpse of the design till the army was put into winter-quarters, or rather till Marlborough set off for Berlin to win the King of Prussia. But all matters of policy, or of economical detail not distinctly bearing upon the campaign, and still more mere letters of compliment, business, or personal illustration, we would have relegated to other heads, more or less ex- tended ; and so on with other branches of the subject. This arrange- ment would not only have presented a series of subjects or stories to the reader, and given him a view to read up to, but might have infused into the editor's mind the idea of a more critical consideration of the minor letters. Many of these, upon formal business or subordinate matters, especially where several are written upon the same subject, or epistles of compliment, written to say that there has been nothing to say and show- ing that there is nothing now, might have been omitted with advantage to the work and the reader.