agents of the cabal were Sunderland, who was connected with them by the ties of marriage, and Somers, whose interest they were sincerely labouring to promote. They smothered, indeed, their indignation, from delicacy to that connexion, and from their fear of offending the Whig leaders; but in their private correspondence they gave full scope to their feelings; and in the letters from Marlborough to the duchess, we find him lamenting the perverseness of his son-in-law, and the ingratitude which he had himself experienced from those he had endeavoured to serve.

However great their disapprobation, it was surpassed by the resentment of the queen, who was highly indignant that one of her own ministers should presume to set up an independent interest; and she accused the secretary of state of employing her name and authority, to secure the election of his own partisans. She was still more deeply offended by the disrespectful remonstrances which he personally made against her partiality to the Tories. Indeed, she even threatened to dismiss from her service a minister who was not only personally disagreeable to her, but whom she considered as having abused the trust she reposed in him.

Marlborough, though disapproving the conduct of his son-in-law, was sensible that his disgrace at this juncture would prove a fatal blow to the public interests, as well as to his own consideration abroad. He therefore laboured to soothe the resentment of the queen, and with difficulty induced her to credit the solemn asseverations of Sunderland, that he had exerted no ministerial influence in favour of his party. He likewise urged the duchess to reprove the froward spirit of her son-in-law, and persuade him to behave with more respect towards the queen. By his intercession the fatal blow was suspended, and Sunderland was suffered to remain, though no argument could eradicate the displeasure and indignation which still rankled against him in the mind of the sovereign.

Notwithstanding the conciliatory part which Marlborough and Godolphin had acted, this ill-timed struggle created additional dissatisfaction and embarrassment. The Whigs re sorted to still more violent means both against the queen and ministers. They even threatened to revive the longagitated question for the invitation of a member of the

electoral family; but instead of the Electress Sophia, they purposed to bring over the electoral prince, whose youth and enterprising spirit were likely to render him a more dangerous visitor to the queen, than a princess in the decline of life. They gained the duchess of Marlborough to their views, and she was so indiscreet as to recommend the unwelcome proposal, not only to her husband, but to the queen.

Nor was this the only instance in which the duke was implicated, by the imprudence or officiousness of others. The duke of Somerset, who to the advantage of high birth and extensive property united a perfect acquaintance with the cabals of courts, had attained considerable influence with the queen, by means of the access which his post as master of the horse gave him to the royal presence. Having taken an active share in obtaining the dismission of Harley, he was so elated by success, that he aspired to become head of a separate party. Though hitherto classed with the zealous Whigs, he suddenly assumed the tone of moderation, and flattered the queen by condemning the violence and overbearing pretensions of the Junta. He even conceived the design of dividing the Whigs, and tampered with those whom he hoped to sway by his promises, or influence by his arguments. He thus acquired such interest, that even the duchess, through her agent, Mr. Maynwaring, condescended to solicit his support, in the struggle for the introduction or Somers into the privy council.*

In one of his letters Mr. Maynwaring gives a curious account of one of his conversations with the duke of Somerset. The letter is without date, but was evidently written in March or April.

"I had the honour to be with his grace this morning, who expressed a great liking of the proposal to bring Lord Somers into the cabinet, without an employment, which, he said, showed that he and his friends were at last come to their reason, and looked as if there would be an end of their extravagant demands; and that for his part, there was nothing that he would not do to bring it about. But yet I am not sure that he does not think that this would in some measure eclipse his present lustre in the court; for 'tis certain never man had such a thirst for power, not without some ingredients of vanity; but yet he is, without doubt, as honest as it is possible for so great a statesman to be; and, therefore, since your grace thinks it will be sometimes in his power at least to do hurt, it shall be my care to discharge my duty to him with more diligence than I have done, to see if my poor endeavours may be of any use to make him do what you wish."

The Whig chiefs were too vigilant and zealous to overlook these intrigues. Aware of the intercourse between him and the duchess, and conceiving that he would not have shown sufficient courage to set up a separate interest of his own accord, they suspected that he was actuated by the secret instigation of Marlborough, and unjustly accused the duke of resorting to so indirect and dishonourable a method of dividing their party.

These cabals and accusations form a prominent subject in the correspondence, which will be submitted to the reader, when we again resume the subject.*

CH. LXVIII. COMMENCEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN.-1708.

We have carried down the narrative of these political feuds till after the commencement of the campaign, that we may present a more connected account of the military operations.

Marlborough reached Ghent on the 9th of May, and after reviewing the British forces, gave orders for the movement of the different corps towards the place of rendezvous, in the vicinity of Brussels. Collaterally with the plan of offensive operation, the French commanders had formed the design of recovering the principal fortresses of the Netherlands by treachery, and had readily found agents for the purpose, among a people who were highly dissatisfied with the change of government. A correspondence of this kind for the surprise of Antwerp was detected while Marlborough remained at Ghent, as appears from a letter to Count Rechteren, dated May 30.

"The first hint," he observes, "which we received of this conspiracy was, by a letter intercepted at Brussels, while I was at Ghent. Several others have been since taken, all addressed to the count of Bergueick, to whom they have been suffered to pass. But as they were not subscribed we could not discover the author. Lastly, six days ago we seized a woman, who put one of these letters into the post-office. She acknow.

See Chapter lxxi.

ledged the writer to be her son-in-law, who was heretofore a shop-keeper at Antwerp. He has escaped, and we are endeavouring to discover his accomplices. As we have taken measures for the security of the place, we find, by several letters since intercepted, that the enemy are much disconcerted."*

Having completed his arrangements at Ghent, the British commander proceeded to Brussels, where he held a conference with the veteran General Overkirk, to complete the dispositions for taking the field.

From Brussels he wrote to Godolphin :

"May 14. The great want of rain will oblige me to put off the assembling of the army till the 21st of this month. The French continue to threaten us with the duke of Burgundy and a vast army. I hope the duke of Burgundy will come; and for their army, I cannot see how it is possible for them to be stronger than they were the last campaign.

"I send you the enclosed, that you may be the better able to judge of their tempers at the Hague, as to the duke of Savoy. It is certain that the French leave fewer troops in Dauphiné than was expected. I hope they may be the dupes in that matter, for I think it impossible that the duke of Savoy can rely on any promises of the king of France."

matter. tain.

From Lord Godolphin.

"May 11.- Last night, by Mr. Hare, I writ to you upon a particular Whether you will receive that letter so soon as this, is uncerI rather think Mr. Hare will not travel as fast as the post. "I think all you have done with the elector and Prince Eugene is entirely right, and will, I hope, have a very good effect, if they come timely enough into the field. But the general backwardness of the Germans is extremely discouraging. The duke of Savoy makes heavy complaints by this post, that General Visconti has refused to send him 6000 men for a particular expedition, which he had designed. I hope he lets you know the same things by Count Maffei, for there will be no remedy of this from Vienna, but by your means; and it would be a great pity the duke of Savoy should be stopped by his friends; for I don't see that our enemies are likely to be, on that side, in any condition of stopping him. I am very well pleased with their changing their generals in France; and I think it is no good sign for them. The elector of Bavaria's going to the Rhine will make all Flanders uneasy, and jealous that the French design to give them up to the States, as I really believe they intend to do, in case of any check or considerable disadvantage For that reason they are willing to have him out of the way, though they endeavour to make him like it, by telling him he will be much nearer the opportunity of getting into his own country.

"I am of opinion that the duke of Burgundy and the rest of the French princes that accompany him will be rather a hindrance and a perplexity

Translation from the French draught.

to M. de Vendome, and not any advantage; but I agree with you, that it may very soon be the occasion of some action, not so much from the superiority the French pretend to have, as from the impetuous temper of that prince, who is full of ambition and desire to get a reputation in the world. I should think this consideration ought to make you act with the greater caution in the beginning of the year, till the Germans come into the field, and oblige the enemy to weaken their army. And I hope you will allow me to put you in mind of one thing more, which is, that even after the Germans shall be in the field, the communication from the French armies to one another is quicker than it can be between Prince Eugene's army and yours. Consequently you may be full as liable to be surprised by any sudden motion of theirs as they by yours.

"What you write about Portugal, and of our annoying the coast of France, is extremely right, and shall be followed here as far as we are able to do it. But I have always told you we cannot do it without the assistance of the Dutch ships to lie before Dunkirk; and as yet, I see no assurance of them."

To Lord Godolphin, in reply.

"Brussels, May 17. — I have this morning had the favour of yours of the 30th, and in a day or two expect yours by Dr. Hare. I do intend, if the enemy will give me leave, to follow your advice, by gaining time; so that the elector of Hanover and Prince Eugene may have time to act. As yet, the French have sent no troops to the Moselle.

"I have writ very pressingly to Vienna in favour of the duke of Savoy. Palmes writes me, that the prince of Salms endeavours to mortify that duke in every thing, which I fear at last may prove very fatal. It is most certain the French have drawn great part of their troops from that country. Mr. Howe says that the elector of Hanover appears very much out of humour, and no ways fond of his journey, not beginning by eight days so soon as he promised. I pray God bless me with success, for I expect none from the elector of Hanover."

66

May 24.

*

*

To-morrow I shall march towards Hall, where we shall join the English and the rest of the troops which came from Flanders. You know already my intention of gaining time, till Prince Eugene can act with his army, which I am afraid cannot be till about the middle of next month.

"I have and shall continue to write to Vienna, as I am commanded. I enclose a letter of Count Maffei's, which I received last night. By that and some others I have received, I very much fear we must not expect any great things from the duke of Savoy this campaign; so that my only dependence is upon the junction of Prince Eugene with me; for if we should not be able to do something considerable our affairs in all parts will be in a bad condition.

"The discovery we have made of the design the French had for seizing the citadel of Antwerp will oblige, I believe, M. Vendome to change his measures. Next Saturday is appointed for their general review. After that, we shall have their order of battle, by which we shall know their number of battalions and squadrons. You will see by the letter from