They write from the Hague of the 7th, that Monsieur Rouille had received orders from the Court of France, to signify to the States-General and the Ministers of the High Allies, that the king could not consent to the preliminaries of a treaty of peace, as it was offered to him by Monsieur Torcy.  The great difficulty is the business of Spain, on which particular his Ministers seemed only to say, during the treaty, that it was not so immediately under their master’s direction, as that he could answer for its being relinquished by the Duke of Anjou:  but now he positively answers, that he cannot comply with what his Minister has promised in his behalf, even in such points as are wholly in himself to act in or not.  This has had no other effect, than to give the Alliance fresh arguments for being diffident of engagements entered into by France.  The Pensioner made a report of all which this Minister had declared to the Deputies of the States-General, and all things turn towards a vigorous war.  The Duke of Marlborough designed to leave the Hague within two days, in order to put himself at the head of the army, which is to assemble on the 17th instant between the Scheldt and the Lis.  A fleet of eighty sail, laden with corn from the Baltic, is arrived in the Texel.  The States have sent circular letters to all the provinces, to notify this change of affairs, and animate their subjects to new resolutions in defence of their country.

[Footnote 261:  Addison ridiculed the prevalent craze for collecting china in No. 10 of the Lover; and Swift wrote to Steele, “What do I know whether china is dear or not; I once took a fancy of resolving to go mad for it, but now it is off.”]

No. 24. [ADDISON.

From Thursday, June 2, to Saturday, June 4, 1709.

* * * * *

White’s Chocolate-house, June 2.

In my paper of the 28th of the last month,[262] I mentioned several characters which want explanation to the generality of readers:  among others, I spoke of a Pretty Fellow; but I have received a kind admonition in a letter, to take care that I do not omit to show also what is meant by a Very Pretty Fellow, which is to be allowed as a character by itself, and a person exalted above the other by a peculiar sprightliness, as one who, by a distinguishing vigour, outstrips his companions, and has thereby deserved and obtained a particular appellation, or nickname of familiarity.  Some have this distinction from the fair sex, who are so generous as to take into their protection those who are laughed at by the men, and place them for that reason in degrees of favour.  The chief of this sort is Colonel Brunett, who is a man of fashion, because he will be so; and practises a very jaunty way of behaviour, because he is too careless to know when he offends, and too sanguine to be mortified if he did know it.  Thus the colonel has met with a town ready to receive him, and cannot possibly see