and out-manoeuvred his adversary and, interposing his army between him and the French frontier, compelled him to risk a general engagement.  It took place on July 11, 1708, and ended in the complete defeat of the French, who were only saved by the darkness from utter destruction.  Had the bold project of Marlborough to march into France forthwith been carried out, a deadly blow would have been delivered against the very vitals of the enemy’s power and Louis XIV probably compelled to sue for peace on the allies’ terms.  But this time not only the Dutch deputies, but also Eugene, were opposed to the daring venture, and it was decided that Eugene should besiege Lille, while Marlborough with the field army covered the operations.  Lille was strongly fortified, and Marshal Boufflers made a gallant defence.  The siege began in mid-August; the town surrendered on October 22, but the citadel did not fall until December 9.  Vendome did his best to cut off Eugene’s supplies of munitions and stores, and at one time the besiegers were reduced to straits.  The French marshal did not, however, venture to force an engagement with Marlborough’s covering army, a portion of which under General Webb, after gaining a striking victory over a French force at Wynendael, (September 30), conducted at a critical moment a large train of supplies from Ostend into Eugene’s camp.  As a consequence of the capture of Lille, the French withdrew from Flanders into their own territory, Ghent and Bruges being re-occupied by the allies with a mere show of resistance.

The reverses of 1708 induced the French king to be ready to yield much for the sake of peace.  He offered the Dutch a strong barrier, a favourable treaty of commerce and the demolition of the defences of Dunkirk; and there were many in Holland who would have accepted his terms.  But their English and Austrian allies insisted on the restoration of Louis’ German conquests, and that the king should, by force if necessary, compel his grandson to leave Spain.  Such was the exhaustion of France that Louis would have consented to almost any terms however harsh, but he refused absolutely to use coercion against Philip V. The negotiations went on through the spring nor did they break down until June, 1709, when the exorbitant demands of the allies made further progress impossible.  Louis issued a manifesto calling upon his subjects to support him in resisting terms which were dishonouring to France.

He met with a splendid response from all classes, and a fine army of 90,000 men was equipped and placed in the field under the command of Marshal Villars.  The long delay over the negotiations prevented Marlborough and Eugene from taking the field until June.  They found Villars had meanwhile entrenched himself in Artois in a very strong position.  Marlborough’s proposal to advance by the sea-coast and outflank the enemy being opposed both by Eugene and the Dutch deputies as too daring, siege was laid to Tournay.