Death of Queen Anne

539

"Madam," he said to Her Majesty, "I will obey your commands; I will declare your mind, but it will cost me my head." She told him she would receive the Sacrament next day, but a couple of hours later she became delirious once more, again called piteously on her brother, whom her wishes or commands were now powerless to help, and died between seven and eight o'clock on the following morning, Sunday August 1st, 1714, in the fiftieth year of her age.

"Never was sleep more welcome to a weary traveller than death to the Queen," wrote Dr. Arbuthnot, who had been a constant witness to the disturbances into which she was thrown by the conduct of her ministers. Both he and another of her devoted servants, Lady Masham, suffered a severe loss because Her Majesty had left her will unsigned. She had, however, whilst conscious, given a sealed bundle of papers- -probably letters from her brother and stepmother to the Duchess of Somerset, with directions to have them burnt. This was handed by her grace to the Lords Justices, or Regents in charge of the Government pending the arrival of the King, telling them of the Queen's desire, when they, not without some debate, decided to destroy them unread.

On Sunday morning the Elector of Hanover was declared King of Great Britain and Ireland, under the title of George I.; this peaceable proclamation being witnessed by an enormous concourse of people, a vast number of the nobility and gentry being present

in their coaches, all of whom seemed mightily satisfied. At night there was great rejoicing and fine illuminations; my Lord Bolingbroke having a vast bonfire outside his house in Golden Square. "But that may be out of Policy fearing the mob," says Peter Wentworth, "but there was no accasion for this precaution, for King George was proclaim'd very Peacably and everything has continued ever since."

Notwithstanding the general rejoicing at the succession of George I., Queen Anne was greatly beloved by the people for her generosity, her mercy, her great charity, and womanly kindness. For three weeks the remains of this "crowned slave," as one historian calls her, lay in state, and were then taken with great pomp and laid beside her husband and near her sister in Henry VII.'s Chapel in Westminster Abbey, the ceremony taking place on August 24th, 1714.

CHAPTER IX

The Duke of Marlborough returns to LondonPeter Wentworth's Comments on His EntryHis Grace's First Disappointment-Illness of Lady Sunderland-Death of Lady Bridgewater— Introduction to England of Inoculation-Hostility to the practice by Doctors and Parsons-George I. lands at Greenwich-Description by an Eye Witness of His Entry into London-Appointments at Court and in the Government-The Duchess and Walpole-Lord Oxford is sent to the TowerThe Rising in Scotland-Death of Lady Sunderland-Her Letter to Her Husband-The Duke of Marlborough has a Paralytic Stroke-Recovers and goes to Bath-Letter from Her Grace-Concerning the building of Blenheim Palace-The Duke is again attacked by Paralysis-The Duchess takes Him to Marlborough House-Some Account of that Residence-Her Grace employs Sir John Vanbrugh to arrange a Marriage for Her Granddaughter with the Duke of Newcastle-Correspondence between Them and Subsequent Quarrel— Why Lord Oxford was never brought to TrialHatred of the Duchess to the Government-She is accused of aiding James Stuart-Her Interview with George I.-His Majesty's Reply to Her Letter.

TH

CHAPTER IX

'HE Duke of Marlborough had decided to return to England previous to the death of Queen Anne; for by one of those unforeseen turns in the wheel of political events, he had recently received friendly overtures, which he gladly accepted, from Robert Harley, Lord Oxford, that guaranteed his safety from exposure or prosecution; Harley's motive for this reconciliation lying in his desire to keep well with one who had gained favour with the Elector of Hanover, and who could recommend his services and promote his interests, in case his Electoral Highness became King of England.

Evidence of their friendship is given in a letter written by Harley to the duke towards the end of 1713, telling him that a royal warrant for ten thousand pounds has been granted towards defraying the costs of building of Blenheim Palace; and also in a note dated July 14th, 1714, from Viscount Bolingbroke to Lord Strafford, in which the former says "Lord Marlborough's people give out that he is coming over, and I take it for granted he is so; whether on account of