It was too manifest, after the Earl’s arrival at this City, that the Alteration in the Command of the English Forces, which before was only receiv’d as a Rumour, had deeper Grounds for Belief, than many of his Friends in that City could have wish’d.  His Lordship had gain’d the Love of all by a Thousand engaging Condescensions; even his Gallantries being no way prejudicial, were not offensive; and though his Lordships did his utmost to conceal his Chagrin, the Sympathy of those around him made such Discoveries upon him, as would have disappointed a double Portion of his Caution.  They had seen him un-elated under Successes, that were so near being unaccountable, that in a Country of less Superstition than Spain, they might almost have pass’d for miraculous; they knew full well, that nothing, but that Series of Successes had pav’d a Passage for the General that was to supersede him; those only having removed all the Difficulties of his March from Portugal to Madrid; they knew him the older General; and therefore not knowing, that in the Court he came from, Intrigue was too often the Soul of Merit, they could not but be amazed at a Change, which his Lordship was unwilling any body should perceive by himself.

It was upon this Account, that, as formerly, he treated the Ladies with Balls, and to pursue the Dons in their own Humour, order’d a Tawridore or Bull-Feast.  In Spain no sort of public Diversions are esteemed equal with this.  But the Bulls provided at Valencia, not being of the right Breed, nor ever initiated in the Mysteries, did not acquit themselves at all masterly; and consequently, did not give the Diversion, or Satisfaction expected.  For which Reason I shall omit giving a Description of this Bull-Feast; and desire my Reader to suspend his Curiosity till I come to some, which, in the Spanish Sense, were much more entertaining; that is, attended with much greater Hazards and Danger.

But though I have said, the Gallantries of the General were mostly political at least very inoffensive; yet there happen’d about this Time, and in this Place, a piece of Gallantry, that gave the Earl a vast deal of Offence and Vexation; as a Matter, that in its Consequences might have been fatal to the Interest of King Charles, if not to the English Nation in general; and which I the rather relate, in that it may be of use to young Officers, and others; pointing out to them the Danger, not to say Folly, of inadvertent and precipitate Engagements, under unruly Passions.

I have said before, that Valencia is famous for fine Women.  It indeed abounds in them; and among those, are great Numbers of Courtezans not inferior in Beauty to any.  Nevertheless, two of our English Officers, not caring for the common Road, however safe, resolv’d to launch into the deeper Seas, though attended with much greater Danger.  Amours, the common Failing of that fair City, was the Occasion