Note 270 — Chapter LIV · WILLIAM III. IN IRELAND, 1690. THE BOYNE

Dangeau, July 23/August 2 and following days. De Sourches, July 17/27. Abbé de Choisy to Bussy-Rabutin, August 13/23, in the latter’s Correspondence, vol. vi. Duke of Modena’s letters, July and August, in Stuart Papers, i. Melfort’s letters, August and September, in Ellis’s Original Letters, 2nd series, vol. iv. Writing to Madame de Sévigné on May 21/31, less than six weeks before the Boyne, Bussy-Rabutin says: ‘Les affaires d’Irlande vont assez bien; il n’y a que le roi Jacques qui gâte tout, et qui montre tous les jours par sa conduite qu’il mérite ses disgrâces.’ Writing to Louvois on July 15/25, a fortnight after the battle, when James was back in France, Luxembourg says (in Rousset, iv. 423): ‘Ceux qui aiment sa gloire ont bien à déplorer le personnage qu’il a fait.’ The Marquis de la Faro says the rejoicings for William’s supposed death were the greatest possible compliment to him. He had fought like a lion, while James had lost a throne without fighting, ‘malgré la ferocité des Anglais.’ The author of Light to the Blind repeatedly calls the Boyne a skirmish and a paltry combat.