270 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

c h a i>. Van Beverning was loudly exclaimed againstlxvi. by the ambassadors of the allies at Nimeguen ,i«r8. especially those of Brandenburgh and Denmark,whose masters were obliged by the treaty torestore all their acquisitions. The ministers ofSpain and the emperor were sullen and disgusted;and all men hoped, that the States, importunedand encouraged by continual solicitations fromEngland, would disavow their ambassador, andrenew the war. The prince of Orange even tookan extraordinary step, in order to engage themto that measure; or perhaps to give vent to hisown spleen and resentment. The day aster signingthe peace at Nimeguen, he attacked the Frencharmy at St. Dennis near Mons ; and gained someadvantage over. Luxembourg, who rested secureon the faith of the treaty, and concluded the warto be finished. The prince knew, at least hadreason to believe, that the peace was signed,though it had not been formally notified to him;and he here sacrificed wantonly, without a propermotive, the lives of many brave men on bothsides, who fell in this sharp and well contestedaction.

Hyde was sent over with a view of persuadingthe States to disavow Van Beverning; and theking promised* that England , if she might dependon Holland, would immediately declare war, andwould pursue it, till France were reduced toreasonable conditions. Gharles at present wentfarther than words. He hurried on the embarka-tion of his army for Flanders; and all his prepa-