in the most solemn Manner, from his Country, upon a full Examination and thorough canvassing of his Actions in the House of Lords.  But this is too notorious to be omitted, That all Officers coming from Spain were purposely intercepted in their Way to London, and craftily examin’d upon all the idle Stories which had pass’d tending to lessen his Character:  And when any Officers had asserted the Falsity of those Inventions (as they all did, except a military Sweetner or two) and that there was no Possibility of laying any thing amiss to the Charge of that General—­they were told, that they ought to be careful however, not to speak advantagiously of that Lord’s Conduct, unless they were willing to fall Martyrs in his Cause—­A Thing scarce to be credited even in a popish Country.  But Scipio was accus’d—­tho’ (as my Author finely observes) by Wretches only known to Posterity by that stupid Accusation.

As a mournful Valediction, before I enter upon any new Scene, the Reader will pardon this melancholy Expostulation.  How mortifying must it be to an Englishman, after he has found himself solac’d with a Relation of so many surprising Successes of her Majesty’s Arms, under the Earl of Peterborow; Successes that have lay’d before our Eyes Provinces and Kingdoms reduc’d, and Towns and Fortresses taken and reliev’d; where we have seen a continu’d Series of happy Events, the Fruits of Conduct and Vigilance; and Caution and Foresight preventing Dangers that were held, at first View, certain and unsurmountable:  to change this glorious Landskip, I say, for Scenes every way different, even while our Troops were as numerous as the Enemy, and better provided, yet always baffled and beaten, and flying before the Enemy till fatally ruin’d in the Battle of Almanza:  How mortifying must this be to any Lover of his Country!  But I proceed to my Memoirs.

ALICANT is a Town of the greatest Trade of any in the Kingdom of Valencia, having a strong Castle, being situated on a high Hill, which commands both Town and Harbour.  In this Place I resided a whole Year; but it was soon after my first Arrival, that Major Collier (who was shot in the Back at Barcelona, as I have related in the Siege of that Place) hearing of me, sought me out at my Quarters; and, after a particular Enquiry into the Success of that difficult Task that he left me upon, and my answering all his Questions to satisfaction (all which he receiv’d with evident Pleasure) he threw down a Purse of Pistoles upon the Table; which I refusing, he told me, in a most handsome Manner, his Friendship was not to be preserved but by my accepting it.