Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 11.djvu/131

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DR. SWIFT.
119

church; and therefore should be very glad to drop in a word where it lies in my way, if I thought it would not be disagreeable to you. I dread their sending a person from hence, which I shall venture to prevent with all the little credit I have, and should be glad to see a primate of our own kingdom and university; and that is all I shall venture to say on this subject.

Marshal Staremberg[1] has certainly got to Saragossa with 7000 men, and the duke of Vendosme[2] has sent him his equipage. Mr. Stanhope was positive to part forces with Staremberg, which occasioned this loss; and when the battle was, they were several miles asunder. The duke of Marlborough was yesterday an hour with the queen; it was set him at twelve at noon, when it was likely his visit should be shortest. Mr. St. John was with her just before, and Mr. Harley just after. The duke's behaviour was with the most abject submission; "that he was the meanest of her majesty's instruments; her humble creature, a poor worm[3]," &c. This I had from a lord to whom the queen told it: for the ministers never tell any thing; and it is only by picking out and comparing, that one can ever be the wiser for them. I took leave yesterday of lord Peterborow, who is going in a day or two to Vienna: I said, I wished he were going to Spain; he told me, he hoped his present journey would be to more purpose; and by what I can gather, they will use all means to make as speedy a peace as possible, with

  1. General and commander of the Imperial forces in Spain.
  2. Commander of the French.
  3. If the duke had that meanness, the queen laughed at him.
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safety