 to the
laudable partiality of Peregrine, that he ventured to contradict her assertions,
and a fierce dispute commenced, that not only regarded the present question, but
also comprehended all the battles in which the duke of Marlborough had commanded
against Lewis the fourteenth. In the course of these debates, she divested that
great general of all the glory he had acquired, by affirming, that every victory
he gained, was purposely lost by the French generals, in order to bring the
schemes of madam de Maintenon into discredit; and as a particular instance,
alledged that while the citadel of Lisle was besieged, Lewis said, in presence
of the Dauphin, that if the allies should be obliged to raise the siege, he
would immediately declare his marriage with that lady; upon which, the son sent
private orders to marshal Boufflers to surrender the place. This strange
allegation was supported by the asseverations of the priest and the courtezan,
and admitted as truth by the governor, who pretended to have heard it from good
authority: while the doctor sat neutral, as one who thought it scandalous to
know the history of such modern events; and the Israelite, being a true
Dutchman, listed himself under the banners of our hero, who in attempting to
demonstrate the absurdity and improbability of what they had advanced, raised
such a hue and cry against himself, and being insensibly heated in the
altercation, irritated his Amanda to such a degree, that her charming eyes
kindled with fury, and he saw great reason to think, that if he did not fall
upon some method to deprecate her wrath, she would in a twinkling sacrifice all
her esteem for him, to her own zeal for the glory of the French nation. Swayed
by this apprehension, his ardour cooled by degrees, and he insensibly detached
himself from the argument, leaving the whole care of supporting it on the Jew,
who finding himself deserted, was fain to yield at discretion; so that the
French remained masters of the field, and their young heroine resumed her good
humour. And let the circumstances of this contention warn the reader, against
all disputes with female politicians; unless he is desirous of incuring their
animosity and implacable resentment; for, in matters of state, they are all, to
a woman, enthusiasts, who believe that all those who differ from them in
opinion, are in a state of reprobation; and, far from laying any stress upon
probability, in the articles of their faith, like believers of another class,
disdainfully reject the evidence of reason, and trust to the revelation of their
own fancy.
    Our hero having therefore prudently
