A Method that was all her own 489 same time attest her own letter, and the offer she had made me of her own accord." Her Majesty on returning the bills wrote the words, "I have examined these accounts and allow them." The accounts which the duchess made out must have sorely puzzled the Queen or her secretaries; for her grace, in whom natural shrewdness supplied the place of education, had a method of dealing with figures that was all her own. Lady Bute, the daughter of her friend Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, we are told, often sat and watched the duchess "in the curious process of casting up her accounts. Curious because her grace, well versed as she was in all matters relating to money, such as getting it, hoarding it, and turning it to the best advantage, knew nothing of common arithmetic. But her sound, clear head could devise an arithmetic of its own; to lookers on it appeared as if a child had scrabbled over the paper, setting down figures here and there at random; and yet every sum came right to a fraction at last.” Her Court offices being vacant were given to those whom she heartily detested; for the Duchess of Somerset was appointed Groom of the Stole and Mistress of the Robes; whilst Mrs. Masham was given charge of the Privy Purse. Her Grace of Marlborough's dismissal did not end without a show of vindictiveness on her part; for in vacating the apartments in St. James's Palace belonging to her offices, she ordered all the brass locks placed by her on the doors, and all looking-glasses to be removed from them, and would have torn down the marble chimney pieces, if her husband had not interfered. This conduct so greatly incensed the Queen, that for a time she stopped the money supplies for the building of Blenheim, saying she "would build no house for the Duke of Marlborough when the duchess has pulled hers to pieces." It may be added that up to this time two hundred thousand pounds had been issued by the Royal warrants towards the erection of this palace. CHAPTER VII Queen Bess's Day-Arrest of the Pope and the Devil--They are viewed by Dean Swift and the Town-The Duchess of Marlborough designs to keep Assemblies-The Remarks of a Country Gentleman-The Duke of Marlborough is accused of Peculations-And dismissed the Army-He writes to Her Majesty-Seeks the Friendly Services of Lord Dartmouth-Duels are foughtBut very Odd Figures at Court-The Queen gives Prince Eugene a Sword-Plot against Her Majesty The Duke of Marlborough intends to make a Ball-Abigail is made a Great LadyThe Queen's Concern for Her Brother-Who writes to Her-She consults the Duke of Buckingham-Abigail and the French EnvoyThe Duchess employs Pamphleteers to abuse the Queen and the Government-And is libelled in Return-The Duke complains-Death of Lord Godolphin at St. Albans-The Duke of Marlborough goes into Exile-Cause of His leaving England-The Duchess's Farewell affronts to the Queen-Her Letters from Abroad-The Duke's Offers of His Service by Turns to the Court of St. Germains and the House of Hanover. THE CHAPTER VII 'HE dismissal of the Duchess of Marlborough from Court, did not induce her husband to put into force his oft-repeated threats of resigning his posts and employments. Accordingly on March 4th, 1711, he took his leave of the Queen, and once more set out for The Hague, to continue the disastrous war which had been of little advantage to England, and of which the Tories and the bulk of the nation had become heartily tired. During his absence political factions into which it is not necessary to enter, became extremely bitter, and had risen to fury on November 17th, the date of his return, generally known as Queen Bess's day"; on which it had been the custom for years to carry effigies of the pope and the devil through the streets, and burn them at night amidst great clamour at the base of Elizabeth's statue near Temple Bar. On this occasion it was intended that the procession should be more exciting than usual, and it was stated that several Whig nobles had subscribed largely towards the purchase of additional effigies, that were |