In regard to Marlborough's presumed connection with Bolingbroke, it may be mentioned that the following note, in the hand-writing of the Earl of Hardwicke, was discovered at the end of the Onslow copy of Burnet: "The Speaker (Mr. Onslow) has told me, that he had been informed by the late Lord Orford (Sir Robert Walpole) and Arthur Moore, that Lord Bolingbroke had formed a scheme of administration, upon the turning out the Earl of Orford, by which himself was to have been Lord Treasurer, Sir William Wyndham, one of the Secretaries of State, and Arthur Moore, Chancellor of the Exchequer; and it is now generally believed that the Duke of Marlborough was to have been restored to the command of the army." Swift also writes in one of his letters to Stella,"I was early this morning with Secretary St. John, and gave him a memorial to get the Queen's letter for the first-fruits, who has promised to do it in a very few days. He told me he had been * Burnet says of Arthur Moore, that "he rose from being a footman, without any education, to be a great dealer in trade;" to which Lord Dartmouth adds, in a note on the passage ;- -"There was no more objection to Arthur Moore's having raised himself from a footman, than there was for a Scotch Presbyterian minister's having done so to the bishopric of Salisbury." Speaker Onslow, who was well acquainted with Moore, speaks of him as a person of extraordinary parts and great knowledge of the world. He especially records his generosity, his good humour, and conversational powers. Moore had originally made a large fortune, but, from his profuse mode of living, appears at length to have died in indigent circumstances.-Burnet, vol. vi. 162. Note by Speaker Onslow. VOL. I. 2 E with the Duke of Marlborough, who was lamenting his former wrong steps in joining with the Whigs, and said he was worn out with age, fatigue, and misfortunes." In addition to these passages, it may be observed, that Lockhart of Carnwarth speaks confidently of the Duke's political connection with Bolingbroke; and as these circumstances were, in all probability, unknown to Macpherson, they give additional weight to the view adopted of the Duke of Marlborough's conduct by that writer. It is a remarkable fact, which has only recently been brought to light, that, very shortly before the death of Queen Anne, the Duke of Marlborough offered to advance £20,000 to the Elector of Hanover to enable him to maintain his influence in this country; but the fact is still more startling, that, immediately after the Elector became King of England,-finding himself neglected by the new sovereign,-the Duke actually advanced a sum of money to the Pretender, which seems to have been expended in supporting the Rebellion of 1715.* Political profligacy could scarcely be extended to more criminal lengths. Under ordinary circumstances, it would have been gratifying to find two such eminent men as Marlborough and Bolingbroke,—though opposed to each other on the arena of politics,—yet meeting on friendly and even affectionate terms *Stuart Papers, Lord Mahon's History of England, vol. i. pp. 82, 153, and 33 App. in private life, and mutually admiring the extraordinary, though very opposite genius, of the other. Fortunately, indeed, not only was this good understanding established between them, but each has bequeathed a pleasing testimonial of his affection for the other. The character which Bolingbroke has drawn of the Duke of Marlborough is pictured in his own most eloquent language. Speaking of the exultation of the French at the death of King William, or rather of the disastrous consequences with which that event threatened the arms of England and the allies, he observes:-" A short time showed how vain the fears of some, and the hopes of others were. By his death, the Duke of Marlborough was raised to the head of the army, and indeed of the confederacy; where he, a new, a private man, a subject, acquired, by merit and by management, a more deciding influence, than high birth, confirmed authority, and even the crown of Great Britain, had given to King William. Not only all the parts of that vast machine, the grand alliance, were kept more compact and entire, but a more vigorous motion was given to the whole; and instead of languishing out disastrous campaigns, we saw every scene of the war full of action. All those wherein he appeared, and many of those wherein he was not then an actor, but abetter, however, of their action, were crowned with the most triumphant success. I take, with pleasure, this opportunity of doing justice to that great man, whose faults 420 CHURCHILL, DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. I knew, whose virtues I admired; and whose memory, as the greatest general, and as the greatest minister, that our country, or perhaps any other, has produced, I honour."* The Duke's regard for Bolingbroke, though expressed in a different manner, appears to have been no less sincere. He used to style him familiarly, "Harry St. John:" and after the death of his only son, the Marquis of Blandford, observed that he had no comfort in life but Harry St. John, whom he loved and regarded as his own son.† * Letters on the Study of History, p. 299. + Macpherson, from Carte's Papers, vol. ii, p. 532. 421 CHAPTER V. Marlborough's public entry into London on the day after Queen Anne's death.-Dr. Sacheverel inveighs against his conduct on this occasion from the pulpit.-Marlborough is appointed Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of the land forces, and Master of the Ordnance. But is reduced to the shadow of his former authority. Is personally disliked by George the First.-Reasons for this dislike.-Rebellion in 1715 defeated by Marlborough's prudent counsels to Government. His character as a negociator and an orator.Burnet's sketch of him.-Marlborough's strong religious feelings. His decorous conduct after marriage.-Extract from Adam Smith.-Marlborough's humanity in war.-Anecdotes of his evenness of temper.-Curious anecdote related by Lord Bolingbroke.-Swift's opinion of Marlborough.—His avarice and duplicity. Extract from Spence's Anecdotes, and from Dr. King's Anecdotes of his own Times.-Singular instance of Marlborough's liberality.-Prince Eugene's opinion of him. Compliment paid him by Peter the Great, and by the Emperor, Joseph the First. Anecdote of Charles the Twelfth of Sweden.-Marlborough's domestic habits and favourite pursuits at Blenheim.-Extract from Coxe's life. Private theatricals at Blenheim. Marlborough's last years. His failing powers of understanding exaggerated by party writers. His death and public funeral. -Enumeration of his children. - ON the death of Queen Anne, the Duke of Marlborough returned in a kind of triumph to London, where he arrived on the 2nd of August, 1714, the day following the Queen's decease. |