drons of horse as
a reinforcement to the prince. In a few days Rain surrendered, and Aicha
was taken by assault. The emperor no sooner received a confirmation of
the victory of Schellenberg, than he wrote a letter of acknowledgment
to the duke of Marlborough, and ordered count Wratislau to intimate his
intention of investing him with the title of prince of the empire, which
the duke declined accepting until the queen interposed her authority at
the desire of Leopold.

{ANNE, 1701--1714}

FRUITLESS NEGOTIATION WITH THE ELECTOR.

The allies advanced within a league of Augsburgh, and though they found
the elector of Bavaria too securely posted under the cannon of that city
to be dislodged or attacked with any prospect of success, they encamped
with Friedburgh in the centre, so as to cut off all communication
between him and his dominions. The duke of Marlborough having reduced
him to this situation, proposed very advantageous terms of peace,
provided he would abandon the French interest, and join the imperialists
in Italy. His subjects seeing themselves at the mercy of the allies,
pressed him to comply with these offers rather than expose his country
to ruin and desolation. A negotiation was begun, and he seemed ready to
sign the articles, when hearing that mareschal Tallard had passed the
Black Forest to join him with a great body of forces, he declared that
since the king of France had made such powerful efforts to support him,
he thought himself obliged in honour to continue firm in his alliance.
The generals of the allies were so exasperated at this disappointment,
that they sent out detachments to ravage the country of Bavaria as far
as Munich: upwards of three hundred towns, villages, and castles were
inhumanly destroyed, to the indelible disgrace of those who countenanced
and conducted such barbarbous practices. The elector, shocked at these
brutal proceedings, desired, in a letter to the duke of Marlborough,
that a stop might be put to acts of violence so opposite to true glory.
The answer he received implied, that it was in his own power to put
an end to them by a speedy accommodation. Incensed at this reply, he
declared that since they had obliged him to draw the sword, he
would throw away the scabbard. The duke and prince Louis finding it
impracticable to attack the elector in his strong camp, resolved to
undertake the siege of Ingoldstadt, and for that purpose passed the Paer
near the town of Schrobben