Life and diary of Lieut. Col. J. Blackader

CHAP. XVII. CAMPAIGN TENTH. 419
honour to write him when I get more time. I am
thine. J. B.
Madam Blackader, chez Mons. Col. Cunningham, )
Commandant a Courtray. $
Bouchain, August 13. Monday.
The trenches were opened on Saturday, on this side
of the town. There is to be an attack also on this
side ; and we would have been upon it ; but it is other-
wise ordered. The whole army that lie on this side
are to be concerned, and to carry it on, which will
make it easy to us all. There are to be three regi-
ments in the trenches every day, and there being sixty*
it will not come above once to our turn. We broke
ground last night on this side, with four battalions of
Guards covering, with little or no loss. I was on
command on Saturday, which was both short and
easy, having gone out at nine in the morning, and re-
turned in the evening. We were perfecting the lines
of our army in front. They are so strong, that we do
not think the French will try them. Monsieur Vil*
lars is reckoned to have lost much reputation, since
our passing the lines. They say most of his Generals
are much discontented.
Let us be living by faith, cheerfully committing
future events to the direction of God, possessing our
souls in patience. We are too hasty, and would have
all great events crowded into our own times, that we
might see God's enemies destroyed by battles and vic-
tories. But we should consider that providences run
in a parallel to the time of the world's duration ; some
accomplished in one age, some in another, but all in