for I am sensible how great a trouble such a loss would be. As to what she writes concerning the city, I shall like whatever you and 16 shall think proper. I have been invited by the burgomaster of Amsterdam, and if (the) that town continues to be of the opinion, to see me there when I come into Holland, I intend to go for one day, as I shall do at London, if my friends think proper, without considering what party governs; for by the help of God, I shall endeavour to govern myself by what I think is right, and not because it may be desired by a party; for I am so little fond of any party, that I no ways envy what is done to 64. Were the affairs of the queen and Europe in such a condition that one might sleep quietly and safely in his own house, I had much rather any body were at the head of the army than myself; for parties are grown so very unreasonable that one ought not to expect any other than hardships, though without faults, when success is not with us."

"Berlin, Nov. 27.

“I have been forced to stay here three days longer than I intended, but at last I have finished so far, that they have promised to sign the treaty for 8,000 men, for the duke of Savoy at 12 o'clock this day, at which time I shall have my coach ready; but shall not be able to get to Hanover till Monday night, and hope to finish what I have to do there by Wednesday night, so that I may set forward to Holland on Thursday. I am very well contented at the pains I have taken in coming hither, since it has obtained 8,000 men for the speedy relief of the duke of Savoy, this being the only prince of the empire in condition to send any men. I hope Holland as well as her majesty will approve of what I have done, it being the only thing that in probability can save Savoy. It is not to be expressed the civilities and honours they have done me here, the ministers assuring me that no other body could have prevailed with the king. My next will be from Hanover, and then you must not expect to hear from me till I come to Holland. I am with all my heart entirely yours. My most humble duty to the queen." At his last audience, the king of Prussia after having testified great satisfaction for the kind visit, and after many warm expres

sions of esteem and friendship, honoured him with presents of considerable value. In his way from Berlin to the Hague, he made a short stay at Hanover to pay his respects to the elector, and was received with those demonstrations of respect and esteem which were due to the glorious commander who had secured the liberties of Germany.

TO THE DUCHESS.

"Hanover, Dec. 2.

"On my arrival here I found two of your dear letters, and could you know the true satisfaction I have when they are kind, you will ever make me happy. I shall go from hence on Thursday, so that on this day se'nnight I hope to write from the Hague, where I will make as little stay as the business will allow of. I have so much respect shewn me here, that I have hardly time to write. The king of Prussia did me all the honour he could, and indeed I have met with more kindness and respect every where than I could have imagined. But by my letters from England I find that zeal and success is only capable of protecting me from the malice of villainous faction; so that if it were not for the great obligation I owe to the queen, nothing should persuade me evermore to stir out of England. We have the news here that Landau and Traerbach are taken, so that thanks be to God this campaign is ended, to the greatest advantage for the allies, that has been for a great while. I long extremely to be with you and the children, so that you may be sure I shall lose no time when the wind is fair."

Having attained the object for which he took this tedious journey, in so late a season, Marlborough returned to the Hague in order to embark for England with the first fair wind, as soon as he had arranged the measures for opening the next campaign as early and as vigorously as possible.

CHAPTER 32.

1704.

Conduct of Marlborough and Godolphin on the revival of the bill against occasional conformity Attempt of the tories to tack it to the land tax-Defeated—Marlborough arrives in England-Distinguished by accumulated honours and rewards— The queen confers on him the manor of Woodstock, and orders the palace of Blenheim to be built for his residence.

DURING the continuance of Marlborough at the Hague, he received many communications from his correspondents in England, on the proceedings in parliament, and the state and temper of parties. In the speech from the throne, the queen. noticed the unanimous joy and satisfaction of all her good subjects at the great and remarkable success with which God had blessed her arms; and observed, that a timely improvement of the present advantages would enable her to establish a lasting foundation of peace for England, and a firm support for the liberty of Europe. After requiring the necessary supplies from the commons, and urging a speedy dispatch of business, she concluded with recommending unanimity at home as the surest means of baffling the hopes of her enemies, who placed their principal reliance on the feuds and divisions of her people.

Congratulatory addresses were voted by both houses, though in a different style. The commons, among whom the tory interest predominated, expressed their satisfaction at the glorious success of her arms under the command of the duke of Marlborough ; but still with a bias to their principles and party, they did not hesitate to bestow similar praise on the indecisive engagement of Sir George Rooke with the french fleet off Malaga, thus depre

ciating the great event which had given liberty to Germany, to a level with an action which produced neither honour nor advantage. The lords on the contrary expressed the national sentiment by passing over in silence an engagement unworthy of public thanks, and confining their praises to the exploits of the illustrious commander. In a strain of spirited eulogium, they added, "We can never enough admire your majesty's wisdom and courage in sending that reasonable and necessary assistance to the empire, and we cannot too much commend the secresy and bravery with which your orders were executed.”*

But whatever were the feelings of party, or the prejudices of individuals, the splendid successes of the campaign overbore all opposition, and confounded all attempts to prevent the vigorous prosecution of the war. The queen was requested by the legislature to bestow her bounty on the soldiers and sailors who had deserved so well of their country; the supplies were voted without a dissenting voice; the ways and means were settled without difficulty; and the land tax bill, which formed the principal branch, received the royal assent on the 9th of December, only six weeks after the commencement of the session.

But though unable to withstand the current of popular opinion, the violent tories seized the earliest opportunity to thwart the measures of government, by reviving the bill against Occasional Conformity. Notwithstanding their defeat the preceding year, they were too desirous of reducing the interest of their political opponents to relinquish this favourite scheme. By adopting such changes as were calculated to obviate the former objections, they hoped to render it more palatable; and therefore they now again brought it forward with some amendments in the preamble, and similar modifications in the penalties.

But since the last struggle a considerable change had taken place on this subject in the mind of the queen, and the sentiments of the ministry. However inclined to the high church doctrines, she

* Journals of both houses, and Chandler's Debates of Lords and Commons.

was not ignorant of the selfish and interested motives which actuated the movers of this obnoxious law. Both Marlborough and the lord treasurer, though imbued with the same opinions, were still more conscious that the bill was not intended as a security to the church, but as a covert attack against themselves and the whigs, by whom they were supported.

Nothing, however, could restrain the animosity of the zealous tories, and knowing the secret inclinations of the queen to be at variance with her public declaration, they persisted more strenuously in their design, the more it was deprecated by the ministers. To give strength and consistency to their efforts, they formed clubs and societies, and appeared determined to sacrifice the principles of the constitution and the honour of the country, rather than relinquish their darling object. As they expected the most vigorous opposition in the house of lords, they resolved to make the grant of the supply depend on the fate of the bill.

After these preparatory measures, the act was again brought into the house of commons by Mr. Bromley, and was ordered for a second reading. To vanquish the opposition of the peers, the authors of the measure proposed to tack it to the bill for the land tax, the only branch of the supply which had not been voted; although on the credit of that grant, Marlborough had concluded the treaty with Prussia, for a succour of 8,000 men, who were now marching to relieve the duke of Savoy.

This unconstitutional attempt furnished still stronger objections against the measure, than even its undisguised spirit of persecution. The moderate tories, with Harley at their head, were deeply offended by the factious conduct of those with whom they were hitherto identified, and heartily joined with the whigs and court party to thwart the obnoxious act. Lord Cutts and Sir Charles Hedges, though tories, dwelt with peculiar energy on the discouragement which any division between the two houses on this contested point, would spread through the whole confederacy, as well as on the mischief which must ensue to the common cause, if the treaty with the king of Prussia, which the duke of Marlborough had concluded on the faith of parliament, should be