Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/299

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988 BUTLER. the castle belonging to his grace, which the Count Lau- zun had generously protected from plunder, so that he not only found his furniture uninjured, but even his cellars well stored with wine. After the campaign was over, his grace, having been named one of the privy council for Ireland, returned to England in January 1691. He attended his majesty to Holland; and, at the Hague, where there was a meeting of the confederates, during which period his grace was remarkable for his magnificence and splendid hospitality. King James, intending to invade England, sent over a declaration, in which he set forth his right; inviting all his subjects to join him on his landing, and promising a free pardon to all but the persons therein excepted by name, among whom was the Duke of Ormonde. The duke, however, was in no great danger of falling a victim to the resentment of the exiled monarch, his hopes being entirely blasted by the destruction of the French fleet off Cape Barfleur, and at La Hogue. A better fortune, however, attended the French arms in Flanders, in 1693, at the battle of Landen; where Luxem- burgh, by a skilful manceuvre, forced the camp of King William, a position esteemed inaccessible. His majesty during the whole of the day, behaved with uncommon gallantry, charging the enemy several times at the head of his troops. The Duke of Ormonde likewise displayed distinguished courage during the sanguinary conflict, making a desperate charge at the head of one of Lumley's squadrons; in which his horse was shot under him, and himself wounded; when a soldier was on the point of killing him, but one of the French king's guards, seeing on his finger a rich diamond ring, concluded him to bea person of distinction, and rescued him from the impend- ing danger. After the battle he was carried to Namure, where great care being taken of him, he was soon out of danger. Here, with his usual generosity, he distributed among the poor prisoners of the allied troops, who were