But notwithstanding no positive Resolutions had been taken for the Operations of the Campaign, before the Arch Duke's Departure from _Lisbon_, the Earl of _Peterborow_, ever solicitous of the Honour of his Country, had premeditated another Enterprize, which, had it been embrac'd, would in all Probability, have brought that War to a much more speedy Conclusion; and at the same time have obviated all those Difficulties, which were but too apparent in the Siege of _Barcelona_. He had justly and judiciously weigh'd, that there were no Forces in the Middle Parts of _Spain_, all their Troops being in the extream Parts of the Kingdom, either on the Frontiers of _Portugal_, or in the City of _Barcelona_; that with King _Philip_, and the royal Family at _Madrid_, there were only some few Horse, and those in a bad Condition, and which only serv'd for Guards: if therefore, as he rightly projected within himself, by the taking of _Valencia_, or any Sea-Port Town, that might have secur'd his Landing, he had march'd directly for _Madrid_; what could have oppos'd him? But I shall have occasion to dilate more upon this Head a few Pages hence; and therefore shall here only say, that though that Project of his might have brought about a speedy and wonderful Revolution, what he was by his Orders afterwards oblig'd to, against his Inclinations, to pursue, contributed much more to his great Reputation, as it put him under a frequent Necessity of overcoming Difficulties, which, to any other General, would have appear'd unsurmountable. _VALENCIA_ is a City towards the Centre of _Spain_, to the Seaward, seated in a rich and most populous Country, just fifty Leagues from _Madrid_. It abounds in Horses and Mules; by reason of the great Fertility of its Lands, which they can, to great Advantage, water when, and as they please. This City and Kingdom was as much inclin'd to the Interest of King _Charles_ as _Catalonia_ it self; for even on our first Appearance, great Numbers of People came down to the Bay of _Altea_, with not only a bare Offer of their Services, but loaded with all Manner of Provisions, and loud Acclamations of _Viva Carlos tercero, Viva_. There were no regular Troops in any of the Places round about it, or in the City it self. The nearest were those few Horse in _Madrid_, one hundred and fifty Miles distant; nor any Foot nearer than _Barcelona_, or the Frontiers of _Portugal_. On the contrary, _Barcelona_ is one of the largest and most populous Cities in all _Spain_, fortify'd with Bastions; one Side thereof is secur'd by the Sea; and the other by a strong Fortification call'd _Monjouick_. The Place is of so large a Circumference, that thirty thousand Men would scarce suffice to form the Lines of Circumvallation. It once resisted for many Months an Army of that Force; and is almost at the greatest Distance from _England_ of any Place belonging to that _Monarchy_.