St. James’s Coffee-house, July 24.

My brethren of the quill, the ingenious society of news-writers, having with great spirit and elegance already informed the world, that the town of Tournay capitulated on the 28th instant, there is nothing left for me to say, but to congratulate the good company here, that we have reason to hope for an opportunity of thanking Mr. Withers[447] next winter in this place, for the service he has done his country.  No man deserves better of his friends than that gentleman, whose distinguishing character it is, that he gives his orders with the familiarity, and enjoys his fortune with the generosity, of a fellow-soldier.  His Grace the Duke of Argyle had also an eminent part in the reduction of this important place.  That illustrious youth[448] discovers the peculiar turn of spirit and greatness of soul which only make men of high birth and quality useful to their country; and considers nobility as an imaginary distinction, unless accompanied with the practice of those generous virtues by which it ought to be obtained.  But[449] that our military glory is arrived at its present height, and that men of all ranks so passionately affect their share in it, is certainly owing to the merit and conduct of our glorious general; for as the great secret in chemistry, though not in nature, has occasioned many useful discoveries; and the fantastic notion of being wholly disinterested in friendship, has made men do a thousand generous actions above themselves; so, though the present grandeur and fame of the Duke of Marlborough is a station of glory to which no one hopes to arrive, yet all carry their actions to a higher pitch, by having that great example laid before them.

[Footnote 444:  “Aurenzeb is Tom Colson, who never had any friendship with anybody but S’r Edward Seymour, who brought him into Parliament” (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; “Wentworth Papers,” p. 97).  Thomas Coulson was elected M.P. for Totnes, with Sir Edward Seymour, Bart., in 1698.  He was re-elected in 1701, 1702, and in 1705.  At the election of 1708, Sir Edward Seymour, previously member for Exeter, was elected for Totnes; but in 1710, Sir Edward having transferred himself to Great Bedwyn, Coulson again became member for Totnes.  In 1715, Coulson’s arrest was sought in the neighbourhood of Bristol for joining in the rising on behalf of the Pretender; see a letter of Addison’s in Hist.  MSS.  Comm., Second Report, p. 250.]

[Footnote 445:  “Hudibras,” part i. canto ii. 105-6.  Butler wrote, “I’ the head,” &c.]

[Footnote 446:  “I should have given you a key to the two Tatlers I sent you last, the Brussels Postscript are verses of Crowders.  He show’d them me in manuscript” (Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, 29 July 1709; “Wentworth Papers,” p. 97).  See No. 17 note on Brigadier Crowther.]

[Footnote 447:  General Henry Withers commanded at the capitulation of Tournay.  On his death in 1729, he was buried in Westminster Abbey.  Pope wrote an epitaph beginning: