had been almost entirely maritime. During his reign therefore the
sea service had been decidedly more the mode than the land
service; and, repeatedly, when our fleet sailed to encounter the
Dutch, such multitudes of men of fashion had gone on board that
the parks and the theatres had been left desolate. In 1691 at
length, for the first time since Henry the Eighth laid siege to
Boulogne, an English army appeared on the Continent under the
command of an English king. A camp, which was also a court, was
irresistibly attractive to many young patricians full of natural
intrepidity, and ambitious of the favour which men of
distinguished bravery have always found in the eyes of women. To
volunteer for Flanders became the rage among the fine gentlemen
who combed their flowing wigs and exchanged their richly perfumed
snuffs at the Saint James's Coffeehouse. William's headquarters
were enlivened by a crowd of splendid equipages and by a rapid
succession of sumptuous banquets. For among the high born and
high spirited youths who repaired to his standard were some who,
though quite willing to face a battery, were not at all disposed
to deny themselves the luxuries with which they had been
surrounded in Soho Square. In a few months Shadwell brought these
valiant fops and epicures on the stage. The town was made merry
with the character of a courageous but prodigal and effeminate
coxcomb, who is impatient to cross swords with the best men in
the French household troops, but who is much dejected by learning
that he may find it difficult to have his champagne iced daily
during the summer. He carries with him cooks, confectioners and
laundresses, a waggonload of plate, a wardrobe of laced and
embroidered suits, and much rich tent furniture, of which the
patterns have been chosen by a committee of fine ladies.67