CHAPTER III.

Complete triumph of the Whigs-Attempts made to bring

Lord Sunderland into the Cabinet Scheme for insuring the Hanoverian succession - The Queen's resentment at that measure

55

CHAPTER IV.

Decline of the Duchess's influence-Her attempt in favour

of Lord Cowper-Singular Letter from Anne in explanation—Intrigues of the Tories—Harley's endeavours to stimulate the Queen to independence

74

CHAPTER V.

State of parties—Friendship of Marlborough and Godolphin

-Discovery of Mr. Harley's practices—Intrigues of the Court

109

CHAPTER VI.

Vexations and disappointments which harassed the Duke

and Duchess of Marlborough-Vacillations of AnneHer appointment of Tory bishops

124

CHAPTER VII.

1708–Vacillation of Anne-Invasion of the Pretender-Re

sults of that event-Secret intrigues with Mrs. MashamThe death of Prince George–The Duchess of Marlborough's affectionate attentions to the Queen on that occasion-Her disappointment

147

.

CHAPTER VIII. .

Trial of Dr. Sacheverell-His solemn protestation of inno

cence-Scene behind the curtain where the Queen satFresh offence given by the Duchess to Anne

164

CHAPTER IX.

Final separation between the Queen and the Duchess-Some

anecdotes of Dr. and Mrs. Burnet-Dr. Burnet remonstrates with the Queen—The Queen's obstinacy-Dismissal of Lord Godolphin-Letter from the Duchess to the Queen

193

CHAPTER X.

Anecdotes of Swift and Addison- Publicat of the Exa

miner-Charge brought in the Examiner against the Duchess

212

CHAPTER XL.

Return of the Duke and Duchess—Their reception—The

Duchess's advice to her husband-Political changes in which the Duke and Duchess were partly concerned 256

CHAPTER XII.

Third Marriage of Lord Sunderland—Calumnies against the

Duke and Duchess of Marlborough-Interview between the Duchess and George the First— The result- Her differences with Lord Sunderland—Illness, death, and character of the Duke of Marlborough

320

Funeral of the Duke of Marlborough-His bequests to the

Duchess-Immediate proposals of marriage made for her in her widowhood-Character and letters of Lord Coningsby-Character of the Duke of Somerset-His Grace's offer of marriage to the Duchess

352

CHAPTER XIV.

Anecdotes of the Duchess of Marlborough and the Duchess of Buckingham-Pope's “ Atossa”-Sir Robert Walpole

" - The Duchess's enmity towards that minister-Singular scene between them—The Duchess's causes of complaint enumerated

376

CHAPTER XV.

State of the Duchess of Marlborough with respect to her

family-Henrietta Duchess of Marlborough-Lord Godolphin-Pelham Holles Duke of Newcastle— The Spencer family - Charles Duke of Marlborough—His extravagance-John Spencer--Anecdote of the Misses Trevor -Letter to Mr. Scrope-Lawsuit.

397

CHAPTER XVI.

The Duchess of Marlborough's friends and contemporaries

-Arthur Maynwaring-Dr. Hare-Sir Samuel Garth-
Pope-Lady Mary Wortley Montague - Colley Cibber-
Anecdote of Mrs. Oldfield; of Sir Richard Steele 417

CHAPTER XVII.

The different places of residence which belonged to the

Duchess—Holywell-house, Wimbledon, Blenheim-Account of the old mansion of Woodstock-Its projected destruction-Efforts of Sir John Vanburgh to save itAttack upon the Duchess, relative to Blenheim, in the Examiner

436

CHAPTER XVIII.

Old age and decline of the Duchess—Her incessant wran

gling with Sir Robert Walpole-Her occupations - The compilation of her Memoirs—Her death, and character 460

APPENDIX

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