motion was decided. Considering the known bias of the princess, and the diversity of their political sentiments, this conduct reflects honour on his candour and impartiality. Trained up under a governor so accomplished, and under so learned and skilful a preceptor, the young prince rapidly improved in personal and mental acquirements; and gave the most promising indications of virtues and qualities, which were likely to adorn a crown. But like the Marcellus of Rome, he was shewn to an anxious country, only to be admired and regretted. In the dawn of youth, amidst the vows and prayers of his destined subjects, he was hurried to a premature grave. Lord and lady Marlborough were at Althorpe when he was first seized; but the progress of the fatal disorder was so rapid, that the afflicted governor arrived at Windsor only in time to receive the dying breath of his royal charge, who expired on the 30th of July, 1700, aged eleven years and five days. Marlborough announced this melancholy event to the king; and the answer, though brief, does honour to the feelings of the monarch: "Loo, 4th Oct. 1700. “I do not think it necessary to employ many words in expressing my surprise and grief at the death of the duke of Gloucester. It is so great a loss to me, as well as to all England, that it pierces my heart with affliction."* * Translation from the original in the Marlborough Papers. - See the fac simile of this letter. CHAPTER 7. 1698-1700. Marriages of Marlborough's two daughters, Ladies Henrietta and Anne, to Mr. Godolphin and lord Spencer. - Characters of his friends, lords Godolphin and Sunderland. Correspondence on this subject. Ar this period the family of Marlborough consisted of one son, John Marquess of Blandford, and four daughters, Henrietta, Anne, Elizabeth, and Mary. The two eldest daughters, Henrietta and Anne, being now marriageable, their beauty and accomplishments attracted many admirers of rank and fortune. But in the choice of an alliance, the parents did not lay the slightest restraint on the inclinations of their children and preferred to every other advantage, the ties of friendship, and the characters of the individuals to whom they confided their beloved pledges. ; From an early period of the reign of Charles the Second, an intimate connection had subsisted between Marlborough and Godolphin, which took its rise from their intercourse in public employments, and was afterwards cemented by a similarity in political principles, both being tories and high churchmen, but without the rancour and prejudice which marked the distinctions of party. Their In union was rendered more cordial by the diversity of their talents and pursuits: Marlborough being attached to the profession of arms, and Godolphin to finance, of which he was a perfect master. the revolution, which was the test of so many public and private connections, Godolphin acted a less prominent part than his noble friend. He did not forsake the interest of James, till the misguided monarch became wanting to himself; and he made à vigorous opposition to the breach of the hereditary succession, occasioned by the elevation of William to the throne. Still, however, he was continued in the commission of the treasury by the new monarch, who entertained a high opinion of his abilities and integrity. He held his situation at the head of the board, from 1690 to 1696; and resigned, as we have already observed, in consequence of the accusations of sir John Fenwick. He remained out of office during the administration in which the whigs were predominant. No public change produced the slightest diminution in the cordial friendship which had long subsisted between the two statesmen; and amidst the various revolutions of fortune and trying incidents which afterwards befel them, their intercourse was invariably marked with the same esteem and confidence. Their connection was consolidated by the respectful attachment of Godolphin to the countess of Marlborough; of whose character and talents he appears to have entertained the highest admiration, and to whose opinions, and even caprice, he paid unlimited deference. The intercourse of the parents produced an intimacy between their children; and all parties witnessed with singular pleasure a growing attachment between Francis the only son of lord Godolphin, and lady Henrietta Churchill. Meeting with the full approbation of the parents, it soon terminated in a matrimonial union, which took place in 1698, when the young lady had attained her eighteenth year. The princess Anne interested herself warmly in the match, and offered in the most delicate terms to endow the bride with a marriage portion of £10,000. The countess of Marlborough would not, however, accept more than £5000, though the establishment of the young couple was ill-adapted to their rank; for Godolphin in the management of the finances had added to the wealth of his country without increasing his own; and the fortune of Marlborough was not yet sufficiently ample to furnish a liberal portion to each of his four daughters. He added, however, £5000 to the generous gift of the princess. Of all their children, lady Anne, the second daughter, was perhaps the most endeared to them, by personal and mental accomplishments, as well as by uncommon sweetness of disposition, and a maturity of judgment above her years. For the establishment of this darling child, the anxious parents felt peculiar solicitude; and in the choice of an alliance they were guided by the same sentiments of private friendship which they had consulted in the marriage of her sister. * The beauty and accomplishments of lady Anne Churchill received great homage from the gallants and wits of the time. Among the number of her eulogists was lord Godolphin, who, as Swift sneeringly observes, "could sometimes scratch out a song in praise of a fair lady with a pencil and card." In the Blenheim papers is the fable of the lion in love, translated from La Fontaine, with an address to lady Anne, Among the most intimate of Marlborough's early friends was Robert earl of Sunderland, who bore so important, but so mysterious a part in the Revolution. It would be foreign to the present purpose to scrutinise the actions of Sunderland, or attempt to vindicate his political character, from the accusations with which it has been loaded. It is sufficient to state, that he has encountered deeper obloquy than he deserved; and that the charge urged against him of instigating king James to violent measures, in order to accelerate his ruin, is without foundation. In fact, the moderation of in the hand-writing of the Treasurer. For the rarity of the production this address is here inserted as a species of trifling not usual in a grave minister of finance. "YOU that with charms and graces shine "Above the brightness of the day, "Born with perfections most divine, "Were your indifference away; "This small amusement without fear "May please your goodness to approve, "And in a harmless fable hear "Of a fierce lion tamed by love." Lady Anne received also a poetical tribute from lord Halifax, the Mæcenas of the day. Vandyke had colours, softness, fire, and art "When the fair Sunderland inflamed his heart; "And Sacharissa was his fond desire. Why then at Althorp seem her charms to faint "This happy seat a fairer mistress warms: "The shining offspring has eclipsed her charms. "Soft Amoret with brightest Sacharissa join'd. State Poems, vol. iii, p. 396.—Johnson's Poets, vol. xxvi. p. 305. |