taken, and Bruges
abandoned..... Conquest of Minorca by General Stanhope.....
Rupture between the Pope and the Emperor..... Death of
Prince George of Denmark..... The new Parliament
assembled..... Naturalization Bill..... Act of Grace.....
Disputes about the Muscovite Ambassador compromised._

THE FRENCH DEFEATED AT THE BATTLE OF RAMILLIES.

While this treaty was on the carpet at home, the allied arms prospered
surprisingly in the Netherlands, in Spain, and in Piedmont. The French
king had resolved to make very considerable efforts in these countries;
and, indeed, at the beginning of the campaign his armies were very
formidable. He hoped that, by the reduction of Turin and Barcelona, the
war would be extinguished in Italy and Catalonia. He knew that he could
out-number any body of forces that prince Louis of Baden should assemble
on the Rhine; and he resolved to reinforce his army in Flanders, so as
to be in a condition to act offensively against the duke of Marlborough.
This nobleman repaired to Holland in the latter end of April, and
conferred with the states-general. Then he assembled the army between
Borschloen and Groes Waren, and found it amounted to seventy-four
battalions of foot, and one hundred and twenty-three squadrons of horse
and dragoons, well furnished with artillery and pontoons. The court of
France having received intelligence that the Danish and Prussian troops
had not yet joined the confederates, ordered the elector of Bavaria
and the mareschal Villeroy to attack them before the junction could
be effected. In pursuance of this order they passed the Deule on
the nineteenth day of May, and posted themselves at Tirlemont, being
superior in number to the allied army. There they were joined by the
horse of the army, commanded by mareschal Marsin, and encamped between
Tirlemont and Judoigne. On Whitsunday, early in the morning, the duke of
Marlborough advanced with his army in eight columns towards the village
of Ramillies, being by this time joined by the Danes; and he learned
that the enemy were in march to give him battle. Next day the French
generals perceiving the confederates so near them, took possession of a
strong camp, the right extending to the tomb of Hautemont, on the side
of the Mehaigne; their left to Anderkirk; and the village of Ramillies
being near their centre. The confederate army was drawn up in order of
battle, with the right wing near Foltz on the bro