Prince Eugene in London-Opening of the Campaign under Ormond and Eugene-Ormond's Secret Instructions-The Allied army deserted by the British forces-Subsequent disasters of the Allies-The Lords' Protest published-Laws proposed against the Press-The first Stamp duty on Periodical Works--Terms of peace announced to Parliament-Bolingbroke's embassy to Paris-Treaty of Utrecht completed-Treaty of Commerce with France rejected by Parliament-Dissolution of Parliament-Jacobite Intrigues-The new ParliamentLibels-Swift-Steele-Death of the Princess Sophia of Hanover-The Schism ActOxford dismissed from office-Death of the Queen.

THE dismissal of Marlborough from all his offices; the hostile vote of Parliament; and a prosecution threatened by the ministry to compel him to refund nearly half a million of that money which he said he had employed in the public service-these adversities in the closing years of a life signally prosperous appear to have been borne by him with a philosophical calmness. He wrote, on the 22nd of February, to M. Schuylembourg, who had served under him as a general of cavalry, "Provided that my destiny does not involve any prejudice to the public, I shall be very content with it; and shall account myself happy in a retreat in which I may be able wisely to reflect on the vicissitudes of this world." * There are several other letters, breathing the same sentiment of resignation-a sentiment which was perhaps as real as in any other case of fallen greatness. But Marlborough's public virtue must have been more exalted than that of most great ones of the earth in the day of humiliation, if he did not inwardly rejoice at the degradation of England when he was thrust out of her service. His constant friend, prince Eugene, had arrived in London at the beginning of January. He witnessed the fall of Marlborough, and testified in the most public manner his sense of the injustice and impolicy of palace-intrigues and parliamentary hatreds. Oxford invited Eugene to dinner, and thus complimented him: "I consider this day as the happiest of my life, since I have the honour to see in my house the

Dispatches, vol. v. p. 577.