Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XI. CAMPAIGN FOURTH. 259
censured according to men's various humours. Some
are of opinion, if we had gone over with our foot only,
that we had heat them ; for when we ohserved their
motions first in the morning, they seemed to he irre-
solute and wavering whether they should come up to
defend the passage or retire towards Brussels. Others
think it was prudently done, not to risk our army to
an affront, when our horse could not act. But what-
ever it he to the army, I look upon all God's ways of
dealing with me to he mercy and goodness, — and I be-
lieve myself to he as sound and safe in the chambers
of his Omnipotence, faithfulness, and love, in time of
action, as if I were with you at Rotterdam.
Our whole army seemed to be mighty keen and
eager to be at the French, and were uneasy and out
of humour when ordered to retire. I do believe, by
the blessing of God, we would have beat them if we
had gone over. For I observe this, all this campaign,
that in all skirmishes between us and them, it appears
we are masters of them, and could beat them as easy
as a mastiff worries a cur-dog ; but at the same time
I observe that we are, as it were, chained down, and
cannot get them soundly beat. It is currently believed
here, that both at the lines and now, it is the States
and their Generals that hinder us to fight, and to im-
prove our advantages as we might. So that if you
have a value for my safety and preservation, you
should go and thank the States for it.
I hope this letter will come seasonably to your
hand ; though I flatter myself that you are quite ano-
ther woman, for a masculine and strong heart, than
you were the first or second campaign. You have
more reason, more experience of God's goodness, and
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