The campaign of Prince Eugene in Italy--Appointment of Marlborough to the command in the Netherlands--His character and abilities--He establishes himself upon the Rhine--Advance of the French upon Vienna--Savoy joins the Grand Alliance--Critical position of the Emperor--The campaign and battle of Blenheim--The English gain the command of the Mediterranean--Death of the Emperor Leopold--The campaign and battle of Ramillies--Expedition of the Archduke Charles to Spain--The battle of Almanza--The campaign and battle of Oudenarde--Siege and capture of Lille--Negotiations for peace--Appeal of Louis to his people--The campaign and battle of Malplaquet--Dismissal of Marlborough--Victories of the Spaniards over the Allies--The negotiations at Gertruydenberg--The peace of Utrecht--Its policy and justification--The end of the seventeenth century--The death of Louis XIV. [Illustration: MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE CAMPAIGNS IN NORTH ITALY, 1701–1706.] [Sidenote: =Campaign of prince Eugene in Italy, 1701.=] The war broke out in Italy. By a treaty concluded with the duke of Savoy in the spring of 1701 the road to north Italy was opened to the soldiers of France, and Catinat at the head of 40,000 men occupied the Milanese. Pushing forward his advanced guard to the frontiers of the territories of Venice at the Lago di Garda, he prepared to fall upon the Austrian army as it debouched into the plain from the passes of the mountains. To an invader who comes from Austria or the east, the plain of north Italy presents serious military difficulties. His path to the south is blocked by the strong and deep stream of the Po, which, with its surrounding marshes, treacherous banks, and swift currents, forms an almost impassable obstacle in the face of an active enemy; especially as the most important points of its course are defended by the fortresses of Alessandria, Piacenza, and Mantua. From the Alps on the north descend into the Po a series of rivers, similar in character though less in volume, each of which forms, both from the nature of its stream, and the cities which command it, a strategical position very easy to defend and exceedingly difficult to attack directly. From the Lago Maggiore runs the stream of the Ticino joining the Po a little below Pavia. From the Valtelline through the Lago di Como the Adda pours its waters into the Po at Cremona, passing a little to the east of Milan. To the east of the Adda, from the mountains of Bergamo, flows the stream of the Oglio, receiving on its way to its home in the Po the waters of a tributary which protects the important city of Brescia. Further to the east, from the southern end of the Lago di Garda, close to the fortress of Peschiera, the Mincio makes its way directly into the Po below Mantua. A few miles further, from the wide valley leading to the Brenner pass, descends the great stream of the Adige, which, running through the dominions of Venice, passing the fortresses of