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FROM THE DUTCH WAR, 1672. In which he Serv'd, to the
Conclusion of the Peace at UTRECHT, 1713.
Some of the most Remarkable TRANSACTIONS, both by Sea and Land, during the Reigns of King _Charles_ and King _James II_. hitherto unobserved by all the Writers of those times.
An exact Series of the War in _Spain_; and a particular Description of the several Places of the Author's Residence in many Cities, Towns, and Countries; their Customs, Manners, _&c_. Also Observations on the Genius of the _Spaniards_ (among whom he continued some Years a Prisoner) their Monasteries and Nunneries (especially that fine one at _Montserat_) and on their publick Diversions; more particularly their famous BULL-FEASTS.
_LONDON_, Printed for E. SYMON, over against the Royal Exchange, _Cornhill_, MDCCXXVIII.
_Knight of the_ Bath, _and one of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council_.
'Twas my fortune, my Lord, in my juvenile Years, _Musas cum Marte commutare_, and truly I have Reason to blush, when I consider the small Advantage I have reap'd from that Change. But lest it should be imputed to my Want of Merit, I have wrote these Memoirs, and leave the World to judge of my Deserts. They are not set forth by any fictitious Stories, nor imbelished with rhetorical Flourishes; plain Truth is certainly most becoming the Character of an old Soldier. Yet let them be never so meritorious, if not protected by some noble Patron, some Persons may think them to be of no Value.
To you therefore, my Lord, I present them; to you, who have so eminently distinguished your self, and whose Wisdom has been so conspicuous to the late Representatives of _Great Britain_, that each revolving Age will speak in your Praise; and if you vouchsafe to be the _Mecoenas_ of these Memoirs, your Name will give them sufficient Sanction.
An old Soldier I may truly call my self, and my Family allows me the Title of a Gentleman; yet I have seen many Favourites of Fortune, without being able to discern why they should be so happy, and my self so unfortunate; but let not that discourage your Lordship from receiving these my Memoirs into your Patronage; for the Unhappy cannot expect Favour but from those who are endued with generous Souls.