wards his foreign favourites. But the motive which seems more particularly to have actuated Marlborough, as well as many of those who entered into communications with the court of St. Germains, was, the apprehension that a change of public sentiment might eventually restore king James to the throne of his ancestors.

Under the apparent influence of these considerations, Marlborough listened to the overtures of the exiled monarch as early as the commencement of 1691, and through colonel Sackville and Mr. Bulkeley, two of the jacobite agents, he testified in the most unqualified terms his contrition for his past conduct, and anxiety to make amends for his defection. From this period both he and his friend Godolphin occasionally maintained a clandestine intercourse with the court of St. Germains, and even made many communications on the state of public affairs and domestic transactions.

On this intercourse we do not mean to throw the slightest doubt. Still, however, we can admit as the genuine language of Marlborough, only the few letters which he wrote to James, and which are either preserved or specifically mentioned, in the biographical narrative of that monarch; for the reports of spies naturally assume the tincture of their character and views; and such agents are invariably led to exaggeration, either to give interest to their intelligence, or to magnify their zeal and services. In fact, we have the candid avowal of James himself, that Marlborough, when pressed to fulfil the promises he was said to have made, constantly evaded compliance. We must

therefore draw the obvious conclusion, not only that the jacobite agents deceived their employer, but that these professions and communications were merely illusory, and intended to secure an indemnity in case of a counter-revolution. This inference has been so clearly drawn by the monarch himself, that we cannot better express our opinion than in the words of his biographer.

After adverting to the very communication in question, he observes:

"Nevertheless the king found no effects from these mighty promises, for his majesty insisting upon his offer of bringing over the english troops in Flanders, as the greatest service he could do him, he excused himself under pretence that there was some mistake in the message*; that it would ruin all to make the troops come over by parcels ; that his business was to gain an absolute power over them, then to do all the business at once."

Having related the mode in which Marlborough obtained a promise of pardon for himself, his lady, lord Godolphin, and others, he adds:

"So that, in fine, they were to be pardoned and in security, in case the king returned, and yet to suffer nothing in the interim, nor to give any other proofs of their sincerity, than bare words and empty promises, which, under pretence of being suspected, or doing greater service afterwards, there was never found a suitable time to put the least of them in execution. However, the king

*This remark justifies the conclusion that the jacobite agents had exaggerated the offers of Marlborough.

thought fit to bear with this sort of double dealing, &c." *

This intercourse was either not suspected, or not regarded; for the success of Marlborough in Ireland was the prelude to his establishment in an honourable and confidential post, under William himself. In May, 1691, he accompanied the king to the continent; and was employed in accelerating the military preparations, and assembling the troops for the ensuing campaign. On this occasion he experienced that jealous opposition from the States General and their officers, which afterwards defeated his more important undertakings. Among other suggestions he strongly recommended measures for the security of Mons, the barrier of Flanders; but his advice was rejected, and the place was lost. During this campaign his merit attracted particular notice; and induced discerning judges to prognosticate his future celebrity. Among others, the prince of Vaudemont, being asked by the king to give his opinion on the characters of the english generals, replied, "Kirk has fire, Laneir thought, Mackay skill, and Colchester bravery; but there is something inexpressible in the earl of Marlborough. All their virtues seem to be united in his single person. I have lost, he emphatically added, my wonted skill in physiognomy, if any subject of your majesty can ever attain such a height of military glory, as that to which this combination of sublime perfections must raise him." William acknowledged the propriety

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*Life of James, vol. ii. p. 449.

of the observation by replying, with a smile, Cousin, you have done

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your part in answering my question; and I believe the earl of Marlborough will do his to verify your prediction."*

At the conclusion of the campaign Marlborough returned to England, and landed on the 19th of October. He was then apparently high in the confidence and esteem of the sovereign, for he was one of the generals appointed to serve the ensuing year. Indeed the manifest preference which he enjoyed, excited the envy of many among the ministers. We find the marquis of Caermarthen in particular designating him, even to the queen, as the "general of favour," and interfering so invidiously in military business as to draw from Marlborough an indignant appeal to the king. The countenance of the monarch, however, supported him amidst these petty vexations; and the year closed with the same flattering prospects which had marked its commencement.

* Lives of Marlborough and Eugene, p.30. The writer states, that he received the anecdote from pensionary Heinsius, who was present at the conversation.

+ Marlborough to king William, Feb. 17. 1691.-Dalrymple, App. to b. ii. part vii. These bickerings are frequently alluded to in queen Mary's Letters to king William, App, to b. v.

CHAPTER 5.

1692.

The

Contentions between the king and queen and the princess Anne. -Marlborough's remonstrances against the king's partiality towards his dutch adherents.-Dismissed from all his employments.- Cabal against him by the earl of Portland and the Villiers family.-Refusal of the princess to dismiss the countess.· Breach between the two courts. princess removes to Berkley House.-Marlborough arrested on a charge of high treason.-Circumstances of his arrest.— Committed to the Tower.-Causes of his dismission and detention. His intercourse with the exiled family.Admitted to bail.-Struck from the list of privy-counsellors. -Discussions on the subject in parliament.-Discharged from bail.

NOTWITHSTANDING this apparent favour, Marlborough soon felt the natural effects of his delicate connection with the actual possessor, and the presumptive heiress to the crown. We have already

traced the commencement of the contentions between the king and the princess Anne, which successive incidents continued to increase. Among other causes of dissatisfaction, she was offended at the rejection of an offer made by the prince her husband, to serve on board of the fleet, and still more by the mode in which it was conveyed.

* Conduct, p.38.

*