Letters from the Hague of the 16th say, that Major-General Cadogan[74] was gone to Brussels, with orders to disperse proper instructions for assembling the whole force of the allies in Flanders in the beginning of the next month.[75] The late offers concerning peace were made in the style of persons who think themselves upon equal terms.  But the allies have so just a sense of their present advantages, that they will not admit of a treaty, except France offers what is more suitable to her present condition.  At the same time we make preparations, as if we were alarmed by a greater force than that which we are carrying into the field.  Thus this point seems now to be argued sword in hand.  This was what a great general[76] alluded to, when being asked the names of those who were to be plenipotentiaries for the ensuing peace, answered, with a serious air, “There are about a hundred thousand of us.”  Mr. Kidney, who has the ear of the greatest politicians that come hither, tells me, there is a mail come in to-day with letters, dated Hague, April 19, N.S., which say, a design of bringing part of our troops into the field at the latter end of this month, is now altered to a resolution of marching towards the camp about the 20th of the next.  There happened the other day, in the road of Scheveling, an engagement between a privateer of Zealand and one of Dunkirk.  The Dunkirker, carrying 33 pieces of cannon, was taken and brought into the Texel.  It is said, the courier of Monsieur Rouille[77] is returned to him from the Court of France.  Monsieur Vendome being reinstated in the favour of the Duchess of Burgundy, is to command in Flanders.

Mr. Kidney added, that there were letters of the 17th from Ghent, which give an account, that the enemy had formed a design to surprise two battalions of the allies which lay at Alost; but those battalions received advice of their march, and retired to Dendermond.  Lieutenant-General Wood[78] appeared on this occasion at the head of 5000 foot, and 1000 horse, upon which the enemy withdrew, without making any further attempt.

From my own Apartment.

I am sorry I am obliged to trouble the public with so much discourse upon a matter which I at the very first mentioned as a trifle—­viz. the death of Mr. Partridge,[79] under whose name there is an almanack come out for the year 1709, in one page of which it is asserted by the said John Partridge, that he is still living, and that not only so, but that he was also living some time before, and even at the instant when I writ of his death.  I have in another place, and in a paper by itself, sufficiently convinced this man that he is dead, and if he has any shame, I don’t doubt but that by this time he owns it to all his acquaintance:  for though the legs and arms, and whole body of that man may still appear and perform their animal functions; yet since, as I have elsewhere observed, his art is gone, the man is gone.  I am, as I said, concerned, that this little