Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/114

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88
THE REIGN

hand, a pusillanimous conduct could not but sink the spirits of his people still lower, and be attended with perhaps as fatal consequences; but the rapid success of the King of England, hardly allowed him time to think: that Monarch had divided his army into two parts; with one he was over-running Normandy, and the Duke of Devonshire with the other was conquering Picardé, the Isle of France, and Champagne; by the end of October, all the northern provinces of France were in the hands of the English. In the mean time, Charles had increased his army to one hundred and thirty thousand men, but the greatest part were but indifferently disciplined; a large body of French troops were in the service of the King of Venice, and were now on their march home; but without staying for these, Charles advanced towards Paris. George immediately collectedhis