324

HISTOBY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XX.

IC94.

shown themselves fit for high military posts, himself and Talmash.If Talmash were defeated and disgraced, "William would scarcelyhave a choice. In fact, as soon as it was known that the expeditionhad failed, and that Talmash was no more, the general cry wasthat the King ought to receive into his favour the accomplishedCaptain who had done such good service at Walcourt, at Corkand at Kinsale. Nor can we blame the multitude for raisingthis cry. For every body knew that Marlborough was an emi-nently brave, skilful and successful officer: but very few per-sons knew that he had, while commanding William’s troops,while sitting in William’s council, while waiting in William’sbedchamber, formed a most artful and dangerous plot for thesubversion of William’s throne; and still fewer suspected thereal author of the recent calamity, of the slaughter in the Bayof Camaret, of the melancholy fate of Talmash. The effecttherefore of the foulest of all treasons was to raise the traitor inpublic estimation. Nor was he wanting to himself at this con-juncture. While the Royal Exchange was in consternation atthis disaster of which he was the cause, while many familieswere clothing themselves in mourning for the brave men ofwhom he was the murderer, he repaired to Whitehall; andthere, doubtless with all that grace, that nobleness, that suavity,under which lay, hidden from all common observers; a searedconscience and a remorseless heart, he professed himself themost devoted, the most loyal, of all the subjects of William andMary, and expressed a hope that he might, in this emergency,be permitted to offer his sword to their Majesties. Shrewsburywas very desirous that the offer should be accepted: but a shortand dry answer from William, who was then in the Netherlands,put an end for the present to all negotiation. About Talmashthe King expressed himself with generous tenderness. “Thepoor fellow’s fate,” he wrote, “ has affected me much. I do notindeed think that he managed well: but it was his ardent desire