of Poland was so far from entering into a treaty with king Stanislaus, that he had written circular letters, wherein he exhorted the Palatines to join against him; declaring that this was the most favourable conjuncture for asserting their liberty.

Letters from the Hague of the twenty-third instant, N. S. say, they have advices from Vienna, which import, that his Electoral Highness of Hanover had signified to the Imperial Court, that he did not intend to put himself at the head of the troops of the Empire, except more effectual measures were taken for acting vigorously against the enemy the ensuing campaign. Upon this representation the emperor has given orders to several regiments to march towards the Rhine, and dispatched expresses to the respective princes of the empire, to desire an augmentation of their forces.

These letters, add, that an express arrived at the Hague on the twentieth instant, with advice, that the enemy having made a detachment from Tournay, of fifteen hundred horse, each trooper carrying a foot soldier behind him, in order to surprise the garrison of Alost; the allies, upon notice of their march, sent out a strong body of troops from Ghent, which engaged the enemy at Asche, and took two hundred of them prisoners, obliging the rest to retire without making any farther attempt. On the twenty-second in the morning a fleet of merchant ships coming from Scotland were attacked by six French privateers at the entrance of the Meuse. We have yet no certain advice of the event: but letters from Rotterdam say that a Dutch man of war, of for ty guns, which was convoy to the said fleet, was

taken, as were also eighteen of the merchants. The Swiss troops in the service of the States have completed the augmentation of their respective companies. Those of Wirtemberg and Prussia are expected on the frontiers within a few days; and the auxiliaries from Saxony, as also a battalion of Holstein, and another of Wolfenbuttle, are advancing thither with all expedition. On the twenty-first instant the Deputies of the States had a conference near Woerden with the President Rouille, but the matter which was therein debated is not made public. His Grace the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene continue at the Hague.

From my own Apartment, April 18.

I have lately been very studious for intelligence, and have just now, by my astrological flying post, received a packet from Felicia,* an island in America, with an account that gives me great satisfaction, and lets me understand, that the island was never in greater prosperity, or the administration in so good hands, since the death of their late glorious king. These letters import, that the chief minister has entered into a firm league with the ablest and best men of the nation, to carry on the cause of liberty, to the encouragement of religion, virtue, and honour. Those persons at the helm are so useful, and in themslves of such weight, that their strict alliance must needs tend to the universal prosperity of the people. Camillo,t it seems, presides over the deliberations of state; and is so highly valued by all men, for his singular probity, cour

In this allegorical paper, by Felicia is meant Britain.
John Lord Somers, President of the Council.

.

age, affability, and love of mankind, that his E ing placed in that station has dissipated the fe of that people, who of all the world are the mo jealous of their liberty and happiness, and th least provident for their security. The nex member of their society is Horatio*, who make all the public dispatches. This minister is master of all the languages in use to great perfection. He is held in the highest veneration imaginable for a severe honesty, and love of his country: he lives in a Court, unsullied with any of its artifices; the refuge of the oppressed, and terror of oppressors. Martio† has joined himself to this council; a man of most undaunted resolution, and great knowledge of maritime affairs; famous for destroying the navy of the Franks‡, and singularly happy in one particular, that he never preferred a man who has not proved remarkably serviceable to his country. Philanders is mentioned with particular distinction; a nobleman who has the most refined taste for the true pleasures and elegance of life, joined to an indefatigable industry in business; a man eloquent in assemblies, agreeable in conversation and dextrous in all manner of public negotiaations. These letters add, that Verono||, who is also of this council, has lately set sail to his government of Patricia, with design to confirm the affections of the people in the interests of his Queen. This minister is master of great abilities, and is as industrious and restless for the preservation of the liberties of the people, as * Sidney Earl of Godolphin, Lord High Treasurer. † Edward Russell, Earl of Orford.

At La Hogue, in 1692.

S William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire, Lord Steward of the Household.

Thomas Earl of Warton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

the greatest enemy can be to subvert them. The influence of these personages, who are men of such distinguished parts and virtues, makes the people enjoy the utmost tranquillity in the midst of a war, and gives them undoubted hopes of a secure peace from their vigilance and integrity. Advertisement.

Upon the humble petition of running stationers, &c. this paper may be had of them, for the future, at the price of one penny*.

No. 5. TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1709.

Quicquid agunt homines

nostri est farrago libelli.

Juv. Sat. I. 85, 86.

Whate'er men do, or say, or think, or dream,
Our motley paper seizes for its theme.

White's Chocolate-house, April 20.

"WHO names that lost thing love, without a tear,
Since so debauch'd by ill-bred customs here?
To an exact perfection they have brought
The action love, the passion is forgot."

THIS was long ago a witty author's lamentation, but the evil still continues; and, if a man of any delicacy were to attend the discourses of the young fellows of this age, he would believe there were none but prostitutes to make the objects of passion. So true it is what the author of the

* The preceding papers had been given gratis.

above verses said, a little before his death, of the modern pretenders to gallantry: "they set up for wits in this age, by saying, when they are sober, what they of the last spoke only when they were drunk.' But Cupid is not only blind at present, but dead drunk; he has lost all his faculties; else how should Celia be so long a maid, with that agreeable behaviour? Corinna with that sprightly wit? Lesbia with that heavenly voice? and Sacharissa, with all those excellences in one person, frequent the park, the play, and murder the poor Tits that drag her to public places, and not a man turn pale at her appearance? But such is the fallen state of love, that if it were not for honest Cynthio, who is true to the cause, we should hardly have a pattern left of the ancient worthies that way: and indeed he has but very little encouragement to persevere; but he has a devotion, rather than love for his mistress, and says,

"Only tell her that I love,

Leave the rest to her and fate;
Some kind planet from above
May, perhaps, her passion move:
Lovers on their stars must wait."

But the stars I am so intimately acquainted with, that I can assure him he will never have her; for, would you believe it? though Cynthio has wit, good sense, fortune, and his very being depends upon her, the termagant for whom he sighs is in love with a fellow who stares in the glass all the time he is with her, and lets her plainly see she may possibly be his rival, but never his mistress. Yet Cynthio, the same unhappy man whom I mentioned in my first narrative, pleases himself with a vain imagination that, with the language of his eyes, now he has found who she