He had gone to the Netherlands in the hope that he might again be able to snatch some military glory without any hazard to his person, and had hastened back rather than expose himself to the chances of a pitched field.

[443] This was not the first time that His Most Christian Majesty had shown the same kind of prudence.

Seventeen years before he had been opposed under the wails of Bouchain to the same antagonist.

William, with the ardour of a very young commander, had most imprudently offered battle.

The opinion of the ablest generals was that, if Lewis had seized the opportunity, the war might have been ended in a day.