hill
gave notice, by a preconcerted signal, that fire was set to the mine,
the governor ordered the guard to retire, and walked out to the parade
accompanied by several officers. The mine being sprung, the rock opened
under their feet, and they falling into the chasm, it instantly closed,
and crushed them to death. Notwithstanding this dreadful incident,
colonel d'Albon, who succeeded to the command, resolved to defend the
place to the last extremity. Sir Edward Whitaker sailed from Barcelona
to the relief of the place; but the enemy had erected such works as
effectually hindered the troops from landing. Then general Stanhope, who
commanded them, capitulated with the Spanish general for the garrison,
which marched out with all the honours of war, and was transported to
Minorca, where the men were put into quarters of refreshment. On the
frontiers of Catalonia, general Starem-berg maintained his ground,
and even annoyed the enemy. He passed the Segra, and reduced Balaguer;
having left a strong garrison in the place, he repassed the river, and
sent his forces into winter quarters. The most remarkable event of
this summer was the battle of Poultowa, in which the king of Sweden was
entirely defeated by the czar of Muscovy, and obliged to take refuge
at Bender, a town of Moldavia, in the Turkish dominions. Augustus
immediately marched into Poland against Stanislaus, and renounced his
own resignation, as if it had been the effect of compulsion. He formed
a project with the kings of Denmark and Prussia to attack the Swedish
territories in three different places; but the emperor and maritime
powers prevented the execution of this scheme, by entering into a
guarantee for preserving the peace of the empire. Nevertheless, the king
of Denmark declared war against Sweden, and transported an army over the
Sound of Schonen; but they were attacked and defeated by the Swedes,
and obliged to re-embark with the utmost precipitation. The war still
continued to rage in Hungary, where, however, the revolters were routed
in many petty engagements.

FRENCH KING'S PROPOSALS OF TREATING REJECTED BY THE STATES-GENERAL.

Though the events of the summer had been less unfavourable to France
than Louis had reason to expect, he saw that peace was as necessary as
ever to his kingdom; but he thought he might now treat with some freedom
and dignity. His minister, Torcy, maintained a correspondence with Mr.
Petkum, resident of the duke of Holstein