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require a digreffion too long for this place. But my own experience of this, is fufficient to make me do as I would be done by, in a matter fo cafy for me; and to give as particular an account of fome few things I know, as I fhould be glad to have from others, about those many confiderable affairs of which I am ignorant.

THAT which confirms me in the opinion, that even this flight account will be in fome meafure ufcful, is the exact impartiality I am refolved to obferve in it. Tho', I confefs, it remained a difficulty with me, a good while, how to lay afide intirely, not only my inclinations, but my obligations alfo ; which latter, methought, it was a kind of ingratitude to fufpend the thoughts of, tho but for a moment: Yet, without doing this, I thought it would be as ridiculous to write (tho' like most other authors) as to publish my dreams, or expofe all the follies of my own paffions.

NOTWITHSTANDING this, I would not have all I fay, taken for infallible, except only the matters of fact. For, as to the defigns of men, and the true reasons of their acting, affairs of this world are like a dye, with many fides on it, and one gamefter

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can only fee those which are turn'd towards him. But then, if others would difcover as much, we might hope the true Memoirs, would make a little amends for the frequent perjuries, of our times; and in those at leaft we might find the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

IN the year 1672, Monfieur DE SCHOM BERG was invited into England, to command the new-raised army incamped on Blackheath, which at first was under the * Duke of BUCKINGHAM only, who had a commission of Lieutenant-General. But he being no great foldier, and on ill terms with the Duke of YORK, who influenced all our military affairs at that time, it was thought convenient to join with him a person of such reputation as SCHOMBERG. And he was chosen the rather, because his advancement in France, next to his own good .conduct, was owing chiefly to the Duke of YORK, when in that fervice: For by the ancient treaties between France and Scotland, the Duke of ALBANY having always the disposal of their Scotch Guards; the French King made him the complement of leaving the commander of them to his choice, which he fixed on Monfieur DE SCHOMBERG,

GEORGE VILLERS Duke of Buckingham.

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As foon as he arrived, partly on account of his great reputation and fuccefs in Portugal, and partly incouraged to it by his friends, or rather the Duke of BUCKINGHAM's enemies, he refused to ferve equally with him, and fo obtained a commiffion to be General; upon which, as was expected, the other quitted the fervice immediately.

JUST at this time the Duke of MONMOUTH was setting up in France to be a foldier; and being fo favoured at Maestrich by the French King, as to have a fure and cafy attacque kept back on purpose 'till his day came of commanding; the credit here of that action, (tho' only a noble fort of prefent from that Prince's generofity and friendfhip for his Father) fufficed to give him a reputation ever after. Our fleet was now ready to fail, together with the new-raised army, to make a descent in Holland; the whole commanded in chief by Prince RuPERT, with the title of Generaliffimo.

I am apt to believe there never was feen before fo great a fleet, as this of ours when the French fquadron join'd with it; conyoying 8000 Land-foldiers all fhipp'd in fmall veffels, which was fome addition to

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the magnificence of fo terrible, and yet fo goodly a spectacle.

THE reason why the Duke of YORK, whose heart was fet on fuch things, did not fhine as the year before, at the head of all these troops, was his refufing the Teft passed in Parliament the last winter on purpofe to exclude him; fo that, as foon as ever his enemies had fet the fnare, he fell into it.

THE Greyhound, being the best of those small veffels which accompanied the fleet, was chosen by Monfieur DE SCHOMBERG for himself and me, who happened to ferve in that expedition under him, and with whom I had the good fortune to live in fome familiarity and friendship.

THERE being often occafion of our speaking with other officers, who, in hazy-weather efpecially, were at a lofs fometimes how to find out the Greyhound in the midst of such a multitude of other fhips; Monfieur DE SCHOMBERG inquired of me one day, if it might not be proper to hang up something for a fignal, by which all the Land-officers might know whither to repair, either to give account of their condition, or to receive his orders. I presently answered, that, tho'

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