WILLIAM AND MANY.

99

any concert, conveyed to William, through different channels,warnings that his life was in danger. Dumont had acknowledged ■every thing to the Duke of Zell, one of the confederate princes.Leefdale had transmitted full intelligence through his relationswho resided in Holland. Meanwhile Morel, a Swiss Protestantof great learning who was then in France, wrote to informBurnet that the weak and hotheaded Grandval had been heardto talk boastfully of the event which -would soon astonish theworld, and had confidently predicted that the Prince of Orangewould not live to the end of the next month.

These cautions were not neglected. From the moment atwhich Grandval entered the Netherlands, his steps were amongsnares. His movements were watched: his words -were noted:he was arrested, examined, confronted with his accomplices,and sent to the camp of the allies. About a week after the battleof Steinkirk he was brought before a Court Martial. Ginkell,who had been rewarded for his great services inlrelandwith thetitle of Earl of Athlone, presided; and Talmash was among thejudges. Mackay and Lanier had been named members of theboard: but they were no more; and their places were filled byyounger officers.

The duty of the Court Martial was very simple: for the pri-soner attempted no defence. His conscience had, it shouldseem, been suddenly awakened. Fie admitted, with expressionsof remorse, the truth of all the charges, made a minute, andapparently an ingenuous, confession, and owned that he haddeserved death. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn andquartered, and underwent his punishment with great fortitudeand with a show of piety. He left behind him a few lines, inwhich he declared that he was about to lose his life for havingtoo faithfully obeyed the injunctions of Barbesieux.

His confession was immediately published in several lan-guages, and was read with very various and very strong

7 *

CHAP.

xix .

'i69a.