Sir _Walter_. Far be it from me to do detract in the least from any man’s actions: But this, I think, I may affirm, without the least suspicion of malice, that the exploit of the _Boyne_, every thing consider’d, is not altogether so miraculous as his flattering divines and courtiers would represent it; for, after all, where was the wonder, that a well-disciplin’d regular army should defeat an unfortunate dispirited monarch, with none but a few raw, unpractis’d, naked troops about him? and then his giving the forfeited estates there to his minions, in open contradiction to what he had promised the parliament, does not seem to argue so great a concern for keeping his word. As for _Scotland_, the subversion of episcopacy, and murder of the _Glencow-men_, (not to mention the perpetuating of the convention, during his whole reign, and by that means depriving the country of electing proper members) will, I believe, look so frightful in future story, that few of your heroe’s flatterers will mention the administration of that kingdom to his credit. _Smith._ Well then, but _Fanders_? Sir _Walter_. I thank you for reminding me of it. I am of opinion then, that, bating _Namure_, he might have put all the glorious harvests he yearly reap’d there, into his eye, and not have prejudic’d his royal sight in the least. However, as I know full well what a mighty advantage one powerful prince, that commands by his own single authority, has over a many-headed confederacy, where all are commanders I scorn to insist upon this point. For this reason I will not enumerate, nor enlarge upon the constant ill success that everlastingly attended him in _Flanders_, but come to the peace of _Ryswick_, which was his own proper act and deed. And here ’tis worth our observing, that by his leaving the poor emperor in the lurch, the city of _Strasburg_ unluckily continu’d in the _French_ hands; and that either out of want of politicks or a zeal for their religion, he made no stipulations for the _German Protestants_, nor took the least care to have them restor’d to those churches, of which they had been unjustly dispossess’d in the war. _Smith._ Well, but necessity, you know, may make a man sometimes act contrary to his inclination. Sir _Walter_. Why then did his parasites give out, That he was the controller of the peace, and forc’d the _French_ king to accept of it upon his own terms.--But not to mention a thousand other things that might be said upon this occasion, for I begin to grow weary of the subject, to stop my mouth for good and all, and convince thee how far superior in all the arts of governing the immortal _Elizabeth_ was to thy _taciturn Hero_, I’ll first give thee a short sketch of her golden reign, and afterwards honestly and impartially shew thee a prospect of the other: _Smith._ With all my heart, proceed.