‘the garrifon of which,

e6

in the heart of the low countries;
and notwithllanding the confidera-
ble difficulties which he had to fur-
monnt, or to avoid, in order to ar-
rive at Ypres, and to inveft it in
fpite of the archduke, who was at
ltand to relieve it, he befieged that
important place, and took it in
fight of all the enemy’s forces.

Notwithflanding this fuccefs,
Condé faw himfelf at the point of
experiencing the greateft reverfe of
fortune. His army was a prey to
ftarcity, to contagious difiempers,
to nakeclnefs, and to defertion. For
eight months it received no {upplies
from the tniniller, but halfa muf-
ter. But the prince himfelf fup-
plied every thing; he lavifhed his
money, and he borrowed more, to
preferve his troops, When it was
xeprefented to him that he was in
danger of ruining himfelf by fuch
an enormous expence, he replied,
that “ lince he every day ventured
“ his life for the fervice of his
" country, he could very well fa-
“ crifice his fortune to it; let but
" the government exifi,” added he,
“ and I {hall want nothing.”

The French army having been
reinforced by 4000 of the troops of
Weimar, Condé attacked the Spa-
niards advantageouily encamped
near Lens, and gained a complete
vklory over them, which difabled
them from attempting any thing
more, and even from fupporting
themfelves.

Afterwards, he befieged Furmes,
500 men,
{urrendered themfelves prifoners of
war. But the prince was wounded
there in the trenches, by a mufltet-
{hot above the right hip, and the
contnlion that he received was f0
great, that it was neceITary to have
racourfe to confiderable incifions.

ANNUALIHHSTEK

1768.

The court, animated by the vic-
tory of Lens, thought that it was
now time to execute its vengeance
againll the faclion ; and according-
ly imprifoned Broullel and Blanc-
menil, two of the principal leaders
of the country party. It was mif-
talten: this vigorous proceeding, on
the contrary, occafioned a general
revolt. All Paris, 200,000 men,
took arms, barricaded the flreets,
invefied the Palais-Royal, and de-
manded the Prifoners: it was ne-
ceffary to releafe them ; but from
that time, the regal authority was
annihilated; the queen was expofed
to a thoufand infults, and Mazarin
dared no longer to venture out of
the Palnis-Royal, fearing to meet
with the fame fate as his country-
man the marlhal d’Aocre. In this
embarraffment the queen recalled
the prince of Condé, as the only
one from whom {he could hope for
fome fupport. He went to Ruel,
whither the regent had retired with
the young king and Mazarin. Anne
of Aufiria propofed to him the re-
ducing Paris by force of arms ; but
he calmed the refentment of that
princefs, and inllead of being ac-
ceffary to her vengeance‘, he direfted
all his views to pacify the kingdom,
and he brought about an accommo-_
dation between the parties, who
defircd it with equal ardor. But
new incidents foon rekindled the
combufiion. The treachery of Ma-
zarin, and the artifices of the lead-
ers of the country party, occalioned
new cabals, and frefh troubles,
Condé, hitherto impartial, and un-_
determined as to what party he
fhould take, lifiened by turns to the
propofals of the court and of the
country; but at length, prevailed
on by his favourite, the duke of
Chatillon, by the tears of the queen,

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