try;--where, in about eighteen months hence, he made a
very shining thing of it!"--Take this other Cutting from the Old
Newspapers:--

"FRIDAY, 31st (20th) MARCH, 1744, A general press began for recruiting
his Majesty's regiments, and manning the Fleet; when upwards of 1,000
men were secured in the jails of London and Westminster; being allowed
sixpence a head per diem, by the Commissioners of the Land-tax, who
examine them, and send those away that are found fit for his Majesty's
service. The same method was taken in each County." Press ceases;
enough being got,--press no more till farther order: 5th (16th) June.
[_Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1744, pp. 226, 333.]

Britannic Majesty shaken by such omens, does not in person visit Germany
at all this Year; nor, by his Deputies, at all shine on the fields of
War as lately. He, his English and he, did indeed come down with their
cash in a prompt and manful manner, but showed little other activity
this year. Their troops were already in the Netherlands, since Winter
last; led now by a Field-marshal Wade, of whom one has heard; to whom
joined themselves certain Austrians, under Duc d'Ahremberg, and certain
Dutch, under some other man in cocked-hat: the whole of whom, under
Marshal Wade's chief guidance, did as good as nothing whatever.
"Inferior in force!" cried Marshal Wade; an indolent incompetent old
gentleman, frightful to see in command of troops: "inferior in force!"
cried he, which was not at first quite the case. And when, by additions
to himself, and deductions (of a most unexpected nature) from his Enemy,
he had become nearly double in force, it was all the same: Marshal Wade
(against whom indeed was Marechal de Saxe, now in sole command, as we
shall see) took shelter in safe places, witnessing therefrom the swift
destruction of the Netherlands, and would attempt nothing. Which indeed
was perhaps prudent on the Marshal's part. Much money was spent, and men
enough did puddle themselves to death on the clay roads, or bivouacking
in the safe swamps; but not the least stroke of battle was got out of
them under this old Marshal. Had perhaps "a divided command, though
nominal Chief," poor old gentleman;--yes, and a head that understood
nothing of his business withal. One of those same astonishing "Generals"
of the English, now becoming known in Natural History; the like of whom,
till within these hundred and fifty years, were not heard of among sane
Nations. Saxe VERSUS Wa