SInce our Gracious Kings Reſolution for England, great preparations were made for His Majeſties ſetting forward, who accordingly took Shiping at Waterford, and Landed on Saturday Night at Auſt-Ferry, Four Miles from Sir Robert Southwells, and lay at Sir Roberts that Night, and on Sunday went to the Duke of Beaufords Houſe at Major-Babington in Wiltſhire, where he lay that Night, and this day he comes to Sir William Rich's Houſe at Sonning near Reading, and to Morrow deſigns to Dine at Kingſington, whither his Royol Conſort is gone to order the Affairs for his Reception, and deſigns to meet his Majeſty at Hampton-Court.

Orders were given to Relieve them at 4 in the Afternoon, being the 19th, which was accordingly done by Count Solmes, Count Naſſau, and Sir John Hanmore, who it was thought would have ſtormed the Fort but did not, this day the Cannon on both ſides fired very briskly, we diſmounted 3 of their Guns, but all Night both ſides were quiet, we prepared a Battery for Six 24 pounders, which were drawn all but one and planted within a Carbine Shot of the Wall.

Wedneſday the 20th. This Morning Early we played on the Fort with 2 Batteries, and by 3 in the Afternoon had tumbled down a good part thereof; His Majeſty after Dinner went to a place near the Battery, and on a Signal of 3 Guns, our Granadiers being ready, each having 3 Granadoes, Storm'd the Fort, and in leſs than half an hour were Maſters of it, putting all to the Sword they found therin, being 150. except the Officer one Captain Barret, who was brought to the Guard by his Majeſties Order: The Enemy made a brisk Salley with Horſe, they expecting to beat us out of our new gain'd Ground, but our Men being prepared to receive them ſent them in again quickly with great loſs, for juſt as they Sallied, Major General Kirk relieved our Trenches, and thoſe that were on before, joyned him, and gave them ſo warm a Welcome, being ſeconded by a Detach'd Body of 600 Horſe, and a Peal or two from our Ordinance, that they ran in again. We had ſome Officers killed and wounded, Capt. Lucy of the Lord Oxfords Regiment Killed; Col. Belliaſtle (formerly Lieutenant to Callimote) Wounded; and about 100 private Soldiers Killed and Wounded; But the Enemy had at leaſt 500 Slain, and the Wounded we cannot learn. Capt. Needham of Lord Meathes Regiment of Granadiers (who behaved himſelf to admiration, as indeed did all our Officers and Soldiers) was Killed coming from the Trenches after they were relieved.

This morning between 3 and 4, being Thurſday the 21th, the Enemy made a brisk Sally, and Kirk whoſe Poſt they Attacked) let them come up to his Trenches, and then gave them ſuch a welcome with his ſmall Shot, and ſeconded by our Cannon, that in leſs than a quarter of an hour they ran in again with a very conſiderable loſs. This day the Enemy Fired upon us in the Fort we had gained, from a Roundal and Square Tower which over-looked it, and fired with ſmall Rubonetts, which galled our Men much, ſo that this day we could do little but ſhelter our ſelves with Fachines and other blinds, till our Works could be made to ſecure us better, and in making a Battery n • ar our Fort, which we compleated, and planted 4 Guns carrying 24 pounders: this Night the Enemy did not Diſturb us.

Friday the 22d. About 5 this Morning we battered the Roundal with our 4 Guns, and with that ſucceſs, that about 4 this Afternoon we brought it down, which covered another ſmall Fort the Enemy had; we have ſince been battering the ſquare Tower which covers their Spurr before the Gate, in which we have made a conſiderable Breach. This day came up our great Guns from Carrick and ſome Mortars, and are carried down to the Battery, ſo that I doubt not but to Morrow the Spurr Tower will like wiſe fall, and then we ſhall ſtorm their Counterſcarpe, which is well Palliſaded, they having left nothing unatempted to ſtrengthen the Town, yet nothing can ſtand againſt us. This Evening his Majeſty ſent a Drum into the Town with Offers of mercy, or elſe to expect nothing but Fire and Sword. His Majeſty never had his health better, to whom God of his mercy continue it.

Here has been one Croſby ſeized for having Letters ſent to him by P • ſt, which were opened at the Poſt Office here, and found to be of ill Conſequence; he was laſt Night before the Lords Commiſſions of the Great-Seal.

The Almighty God has bleſt us as yet with fair Weather for our Camp, and I hope will continue his Mercy.

The Iriſh do commit great Barbarities in the Weſt: the Papiſts here were in great Conſternation for fear of being generally Plundered by the Soldiers, but there ia a Proclamation out againſt it, which has quieted their minds till the next time.