At my Arrival there I went to the Royal Palace as before: The Regent gave me a very good Reception, and _Madame_ made me so welcome, that it confirm’d my Hopes, that I should at length obtain something at the Court of _France_. I found People very much divided about the War which had been just declar’d against _Spain_: The _French_ were indeed for a War, but they were sorry to make it against a Prince who was born among them, and for whose Establishment they had expended so many Millions, and so much Blood. The Regent was even at a Loss to find any one to command the Army, because several had excus’d themselves. Only the Marshal _de Berwic_, the Natural Son of _James_ II. King of _England_, prefer’d the Service of the Regency to the old Obligations he had to the King of _Spain_. His Catholic Majesty, whose Forces this Duke had commanded, had heap’d Favours upon him; he had not only made him and his Son Grandees of _Spain_, but had moreover granted to both of ’em the Golden Fleece, and the Duchy of _Liria_ for his Son and his Posterity. Nevertheless, he accepted of the Command with Pleasure, and set out for _Spain_. The Regent having engag’d the Prince of _Conti_ to take upon him the Command of the Cavalry, order’d him 100,000 Crowns for his Equipage, and granted him 60,000 Livres a Month to keep an open Table; besides which, his Horses were to be kept at the King’s Expence. When his Royal Highness had appointed these Two Generals, he was not very much at a Loss for subaltern Officers: To encourage them to serve with the more Zeal, there was a great Promotion, consisting of 6 Lieutenant-Generals, 72 Major-Generals, and 196 Brigadiers. The Regent also gave Pensions to above Threescore Officers, who repair’d to the Marshal _de Berwic_ in _Navarre_, where the Campaign was open’d by the Siege of _Fontarabia_. At the same Time the Regent caus’d a Manifesto to be publish’d, which was couch’d in Terms full of Regard to the King of _Spain_, Cardinal _Alberoni_ being reproach’d for every Thing that was blameworthy in that Prince’s Conduct; and accus’d of being the Author of the War between the Two Crowns, and of having hinder’d the King his Master from accepting the Treaty of the Quadruple Alliance, a Treaty which had not been concluded, said the Regent, but for the Welfare of _Europe_, and particularly of _France_ and _Spain_. His Royal Highness protested, that the War was only made to induce the King of _Spain_ to a Peace; and affirm’d, That _France_ did not mean to make any Conquest upon his Dominions; and that if she was compell’d to do it, she should be always ready to restore such Conquests at the Peace.