Letters written by Sir W. Temple, Bart., and other ministers of state, both at home and abroad containing an account of the most important transactions that pass'd in Christendom from 1665-1672 : in two volumes / review'd by Sir W. Temple sometime before his death ; and published by Jonathan Swift ...

To Monsieur Gourville.

Brussels, May 2. S. N. 1667.

SIR,

YOu ask me whether we have a mind in earnest for a Peace, and I ask you, whether you have a mind in earnest for a War: For as yet, we are no better infor∣med of the Designs and Marches of the French Troops, than we were at your Departure from Brussels. I begin to think that King and his Mini∣sters are mortal like o∣ther People, and that their Affairs are mana∣ged with as little Con∣cert as those of their Neighbours. For I be∣lieve, as to what con∣cerns this Countrey, the Critical Minute is past, and that the French will find here a braver De∣fence than they pretend to believe. However, it is certain, if they had

begun by Marching ra∣ther than Menacing a∣bout three Weeks ago, the Business on this side had been past Remedy. In short, I as little com∣prehend the French Pro∣ceedings at present, as those of the Spaniards a while ago, nor where they can find their Ac∣count in this Enterprize which begins to awaken and alarm all Christen∣dome.

For our selves, my re∣al Opinion is, that our Intentions for the Peace are very sincere, and cannot fail if the other Parties bring along with them the same Disposi∣tions; and if I were as much concerned there∣in, as you perhaps may be. I would regn are my Affairs accordingly for the future.

I thank you for your Account of what passes in your Parts; but I am very little satisfied with the Queen of Spain's Letter, whereof a Co∣py

has been delivered at the same rime to the States by Monsieur d'E∣strades: I think the Form is faulty, as well as the Substance; and that if your Soldiers be at pre∣sent no better than your Secretaries, Affairs will hardly succeed as they imagine.

By the last Ordinary from Spain, it appears that they dream no more of War there than they do of Fire, at least they conceal from our Ambassadour any Advi∣ces they may have recei∣ved of it from hence: But our Treaty of Com∣merce was yet once a∣gain upon the Point of being Signed. The Spa∣niards make no Prepara∣tions against Portugal this Campagne, and therefore seem to think of being on that side upon the Defensive, or else of an Accommoda∣tion: tho' they are well enough informed of the Particulars of an Ac∣cord concluded between France and Portugal.

Nothing perplexes me more than to find a way of writing often to Bre∣da, and you will not send me your Address. I resign up this to my Fortune, but since yours is always better than mine, it may happen upon that Account that you may never receive it. As happy as you are, I advise you to look to your Affairs at Breda: For in a few Days, I re∣solve to go and plunder your House at Brussels, and get satisfaction for my great Orange-Tree upon your little ones. I do not pretend it shall be open War; however the Hollanders will tell you that we English are D — and all at Repri∣sals.

I am Sir

your &c.