142 MEMOIRS OP THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

In this crisis, no engagement taking place, the King thought
it fitting to send Berwick into Flanders to act as mediator, even
bo Homo extent, as dictator to the army. Ho was ordered to
bring back an account of all things, HO that it might be seen
whether a battle could or could not bo fought.

I think 1 have already Htatod who Berwick was; but I will
hero add a few more words about him to signalise his prodigious
and rapid advancement.

We were in the golden ago of bastards, and Berwick was a
man who had reason to think BO. Bastard of James II., of
England, he had arrived in Franco, at the age of eighteen, with
that monarch, after the Revolution of 1088. At twenty-two
ho was made lieutenant-general, and served as such in Flanders,
without having passed through any other rank. At thirty-
three ho commanded in chief in. Spain with a patent of general.
At thirty-four lie was made, on account of his victory at
Alnuvnm, grandee of Spain, and chevalier of the Golden Fleece.
11(4 continued to command in chief until February, 1706, when
ho was made Marechal of Franco, being then not more than
thirty-nix years old. Ho was an. English Duko, and although.
as sucli lie had no rank in Franco, the King had awarded it to
him, as to all who came over with .Tamos. This was making a
rapid fortune 'with a vengeance, under a King who regarded
pooplo of thirty odd as children, but who thought no moro of
tho ages of bastards than of those of the gods.

For moro than a year past Berwick had coveted to be made
Duke and Pour. But he could not obtain his wish. Now,
however, that ho was to bo sent into Flanders for the purpose
I havo just described, it seemed a good opportunity to try again.
Ho did try, and was successful. He was made Duko and Peer.
Ho had boon twice married. By his first wife he had had a
son. By his second several sons and daughters. "Will it be
"believed that ho was hardy enough to propose, and that we
wore weak enough to accord to him, that his son of the
first bod should bo formally excluded from the letters-patent
of Duko and Poor, and that those of the second bed should
alone bo ontorcd thero ? Yet BO it was. Berwick was, in.