[30] "I need not tell you how much I desire the nation may be at last eased of a burdensome war, by an honourable peace; and no one can judge better than yourself of the sincerity of my wishes to enjoy a little retirement at a place you have contributed in a great measure to make so desirable. I thank you for your good wishes to myself on this occasion. _I dare say, Prince Eugene and I shall never differ about our laurels._"--_Marlborough to Mr Travers_, July 30, 1708. [31] _Coxe_, IV. 216-219. [32] _Marlborough to Godolphin, August 30, 1708._--_Coxe_, IV. 222. [33] _Desp_. IV. 241-260. [34] _Desp_. IV. 260-271. _Marlborough to Godolphin, September 24, 1708._--_Coxe_, IV. 243. [35] _Marlborough to Godolphin, October 1, 1708._--_Coxe_, IV. 254. [36] _Desp._ IV. 271, _Marlborough to Godolphin, October 24, 1708._--_Coxe_, IV. 263, 264. [37] "You will find me, my Prince, always ready to renew the patent for the government of the Low Countries, formerly sent to you, and to extend _it for your life_."--_King Charles to Marlborough, August 8, 1708._ _Coxe_, IV. 245. RECOLLECTIONS OF A LOVER OF SOCIETY. Many years ago, I was struck with the remark--that if any one would write down, from week to week, the prominent events which occurred in his time, he must make a book which many would like to read. I took the hint; and here I give a portion of my Recollections. Not that I have ever kept a regular Journal, a matter which I now regret; but I have mingled a good deal in general life, I have seen nearly all the remarkable characters of Europe in the most stirring period of the world, and I have seen the beginning as well as the end of that most extraordinary of all national catastrophes, the French Revolution. At all times fond of associating with my fellow men, taking a strong interest in public opinions, having strong opinions of my own, and witnessing the most singular changes in almost every form of public, of personal, and of national impressions, I have had my full share of experience in the ways of men. And I now offer it to those who would refresh their remembrances of memorable men, things, and times. For the purpose of dealing in the fairest possible manner with my readers, I have looked into the various records of those events which might have escaped my memory. But I have not suffered them to bias opinions conceived long since, and conceived in the spirit of sincerity. Such is my design. It is given to the public with a perfect freedom from all party influence; with a total avoidance of all personality; with that calmness of retrospect which best becomes one who has no desire to share in the passions of the world; and with that wish of the French almanack-maker, which lies at the bottom of many a bulkier enterprise than mine-- "Je veux infiniment qu'on me lise." 1800.