The queen's comrade; The life and times of Sarah, duchess of Marlborough

Front matter

siisiiSiksia'iiHtswiaBtesgsSssfeais-fe

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

Preface

IF, as Carlyle says, " Biography is the most universally profitable, universally pleasant of all things, especially biography of distinguished individuals," it must be admitted that few life records so incontestably combine pleasure and profit as those of Sarah Jennings, first Duchess of Marlborough ; who, born at the Restoration, took some part in the Revolution, who defied one sovereign, swayed another, and saw six reign.

In relating the eventful story of her days it is indispensable that pictures should be given of the courts in which she figured, the incidents that amused or the storms that shook them, the political events that led to comedy or tragedy, the characters who played important parts as kings or queens, princes and princesses, sycophants or conspirators, great officers of the state, courtesans, whispering pages of the back stairs, bedchamber women, petty clerks of the palace ; all puppets of a brief hour, unconsciously posturing for posterity, their antics illustrating the Annals of vi preface

their time, and producing the ever-changing drama known as history.

In the following pages, politics have been avoided as much as possible, and merely treated as pivots on which human interests turned ; whilst letters — always a reflection of their writers' minds — have occasionally been given at length, to illustrate a character, or describe an event. And though no statement is made without authority, and scandal is not sedulously avoided, the unnecessary task, of pointing a moral, that so frequently disfigures a tale, is unheeded.

Many of the heretofore unpublished statements, ancedotes, and letters in this strange eventful life story, have been found in the thirty-four volumes of manuscripts originally collected by Sarah Duchess of Marlborough, as materials for the memoirs of her husband ; only an inconsiderable part of which could be used by their writer. Archdeacon Coxe ; who in describing the historic exploits of the duke, left himself little space to speak of the social episodes in the career of the indomitable duchess. At the biographer's death, these papers passed to the peaceful security of the British Museum, where time-stained and faded they still bear silent witness to the ambitions, passions, schemes, and ferments that stirred the souls of those whose actions made history.

The " Account of her Conduct " and her " Vindication " written by the duchess shortly before her death, preface vii

together with her " Private Correspondence " and her " Opinions," have been freely quoted from ; and letters are given which were for the first time printed in the Reports of the Historical MS. Commission, on the papers in Blenheim Palace. The author is much indebted to Lord Wolseley's valuable " Life of the Duke of Marlborough to the Accession of Queen Anne," for some letters written before his marriage by Colonel Churchill to Sarah Jennings.

The Stuart, the Hanoverian, the Wentworth, Lockhart, Marchmont, and Kimbolton papers ; the Spencer House Journals ; the numerous memoirs, diaries, histories, biographies, correspondence, news sheets, pamphlets, and ballad literature of the period, have contributed their choicest, most intimate passages, to present a likeness of the first Duchess of Marlborough, and to paint a vivid panorama of the stirring times in which she lived.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I

Chapter I Page

A Memorable May Day — Birth of Sarah Jennings — The King enters London — Secret Marriage of James Dulce of York — -Views of the Royal Family — The Duchess of York — Frances Jennings her Maid of Honour — The Perilous Career of a Court Beauty — Sarah Jennings a Playmate of the Princess Anne — Death of the Duchess of York — John Churchill's Long Descent — The Duke and His Page — The Rewards of Winston Churchill — A Nimble Ensign — The Duke of York's Second Marriage — The Child Bride lands in England — The Duke of Monmouth — ^John Churchill falls in love with Sarah Jennings — A Wilful Beauty — The unsmooth Course of True Love — Churchill's ardent Love Letters — Sarah is unkind — Between Love and Money — Sarah's Indignation — Her Lover pleads — He despairs of Her Love — Sarah gives Plain Hints — Such Barbarous Usage — Churchill's Indignant Letter — Peace and Private Marriage . . I

Chapter II

The Vicissitudes of Love and Disappointment of Marriage — Dick Talbot seeks his Fortune in France — An Elegant Adventurer — Lovers' Quarrel — Believing Her lost— The Prince of Orange— His Ambitious Views — The Princess Mary and the Dutch Monster — A Cold Bridegroom — The supposed Discovery of an Atrocious Plot — The Vanished Duke — The Love Letters of a Married Man — Dearest Soul of My Life — Illness of the King and Return of the Duke — Colonel Churchill the Confidant of James — A Visit to The Hague — Sent into Scotland — Sarah Churchill's First Child — Husband and Lover — The Duke of York returns to England — The Princess Anne marries Prince George of Denmark — A Royal Nonentity — The Prince of Orange is displeased — Appearance and Character of Anne . . . -Si

Chapter III

Sarah Churchill made Lady of the Bedchamber to the Princess Anne — Colonel Churchill's Advancement — His Letter to His Wife — Lady Churchill's Account of her Favour with the Princess — Life at the Cockpit and Gossip of the Day — Letter from the Princess Anne — The King's Troubles — The Duke of Monmouth's Ambition — A Monmouth and no York — Progress through the Provinces — Arrest — Conspiracy against the Lives of His Father and Uncle — Harboured

X Contents of Wol. i

PAGE

by the Prince of Orange— James Protests— Illness and Death of Charles II.— The New King— 111 Omen at His Coronation— His Industry and Economy — Openly Professes Catholicism — Appointment of Catholic Peers— Monmouth honoured at the Orange Court — The French Ambassador's Account— Plans of the Prince of Orange — Monmouth's Insurrection, Condemnation, and Death — The Charms that Failed— Life at St. Albans— Birth of Lord Churchill's Children — Awaiting the Storm S3

Chapter IV

Brief Glance at a Historical Drama— The Endeavours of the King- Schemes of the Prince of Orange — Birth of the Prince of Wales — Rumours and Calumnies— Conduct of the Princess Anne — Her Letters to the Princess of Orange — The Invasion of England — The King writes to His Eldest Daughter — Lord Clarendon remonstrates with Anne— James is betrayed and deserted — The Cruellest Blow — Anne's Flight from London— What Lord Chesterfield saw and said —The Queen quits England— The King's Fears— Last Night in England— A Divided Parliament— William's Anger and Disappointment — Lord Danby writes to Mary — Her Answer and Gratitude — Anne waives Her Claims — Lady Churchill explains — So very Simple a Creature — The New King and Queen— Rewards of Lord Churchill 8i

Chapter V

Queen Mary as a Child — Her Husband's Intrigue with Elizabeth Villiers — He neglects His Wife — No Place of Worship provided for Her — The Prince of Orange kicks the Communion Table — Depressing Life at Holland — Visit of the Duchess of York and the Princess Anne — The Princess of Orange and Lady Marlborough — Mary's Chaplain is horribly unsatisfied — The Purloined Letter — WiUiam reads Unpleasant Things of Himself — An Insolent Book — The French Ambassador's Picture of the Orange Court — William's Brutalities — Mary's Conduct on reaching Whitehall — Opinions of Eye Witnesses — Extracts from Her Private Journals — Disagreements of the Royal Sisters — Anne's Mortifications — The Question of Settlements — William's Hatred of Anne — The Duke of Gloucester is born — -Lady Marlborough will not be persuaded — William's Treatment of Lord Marlborough — His Dissatisfaction with the King — The Princess's Gift — Their Majesties are wrathful . .123

Chapter VI

The Primate refuses to bless the Queen — Mary punishes Him — Dressing for the Coronation — Startling News of King James's Landing in Ireland — Hostile Spirit of the Church and the Army — Admiral Lord Torrington's Instructions — Defeat of the English Fleet off Beachy Head — William goes to Ireland — His Affront to Prince George of Denmark — Lord Marlborough restores Tranquillity to Cork and Kinsale — The Queen's Letters to Her Husband — Reference to Her Father — Dr. Tillotson's Doubts of Hell — His Scepticism rewarded Prince George desires to serve at Sea — Their Majesties' Contempt for Him — Lady Marlborough answers a very Great Lord — Unpopularity of the King and Queen— Comments on William's Person

Contents of lt)ol. i xi

PAGE

and Habits — Promotion of the Dutcli Favourites — Action of Parliament — The Queen consults a Fashionable Fortune-teller — Her Majesty's Many Troubles — Her Reference to the King's Mistress — Lord Marlborough corresponds with King James — Anne asks for the Garter for Lord Marlborough— Her Penitent Letter to Her Father 155

CHAPTER VII Plot to restore King James— The Chief Conspirators— Scene in the Royal Drawing-room — Lord Marlborough is dismissed and forbidden the Court — The Princess of Denmark receives an Anonymous Letter — Lady Marlborough defies the Queen — Her Majesty's Indignation —Requests Anne to part with Lady Marlborough — The Princess's Reply — Lord Rochester refuses to deliver It — Lady Marlborough is forbidden the Cockpit — Anne resolves to leave It — The Duchess of Somerset lends Her Sion House — William's Interference — The Proud Duke of Somerset and the Dutch King — Thrice married and twice widowed before Sixteen — The Duke's exacting Disposition — " My Pig shall see Him too " — The Princess waits on the Queen — What Mary thought of the Quarrel — Some Signs of Remorse . . . 181

Chapter VIII

The Queen has an Inward Fever — Anne is brought close to Death — ■ Message to Mary Who visits the Invalid — Lady Marlborough's Removal insisted on — The Princess's Answer — Her Majesty feels Compunction —Courtiers forbidden to call on Anne — She is deprived of Her Guards — Lady Marlborough wishes to leave Her Service — Of which Anne will not hear — Lord Marlborough is sent to the Tower — Conspiracies against the King — A Battle lost and won — James thinks the Hand of Heaven is against Him — Letter to Him from Anne — She writes to Lady Marlborough — The Princess employs the Bishop of Worcester — The Queen will not yield — Anne takes Berkeley House — Her Majesty's Orders to the Mayor of Bath — A Thing to be laughed at — Anne is robbed by Highwaymen — Lampoons — Lord Marlborough is released — Living at Berkeley House — Birth and Death of His Children 201

Chapter IX

Fresh Endeavours to remove the Marlboroughs from the Princess — She is a Queen and would be obeyed — Hostility continues between the Royal Sisters — The Queen takes ill — Dr. Tenison and His Sermon on Nell Gwyn — Her Majesty destroys Her Private Papers and Letters — Anne hears of Her Sister's Illness — Offers to wait on Her — Receives a Cold Reply — The King's Concern for His Wife — Is told of Her Danger — Mary directs Her Private Letter to the King may be given Him after Her Death — Her Mind wanders — Her Instructions to the Archbishop — Her Death — Dr. Tenison delivers His Message to William who promises Amendment — The Archbishop's Sermon — The "Babbling" Bishop reproves the King- Mary is mourned by Her Father — Anne makes Overtures to His Majesty — Reconcilement follows — Her Interview at Kensington Palace — The Action of Inferior Figures 225 xii (rontent5 of iDol. i

Chapter X Page

William declines Lord Marlborough's Proffered Services— The Earl corresponds with King James— And warns Him of the Attack on Brest— The Princess congratulates the King— She is slighted by His Majesty— Prince George and His Weeds of Woe — The King's New Favourite — Honours showered upon Him — Lands taken from Lord Portland— The Marriage of Elizabeth ViUiers— Anne writes to Her Father— Project of Louis XIV.— The Queen's Jointure— The Little Duke of Gloucester— The King's Avarice— Settlement of the Duke's Household— Lord Marlborough is taken into Favour— Kisses the King's Hand — A Precocious Youth — His Birthday Illness and Death — Anne believes His Loss a Punishment — Her Promise to King James — Marriage of Lady Henrietta Churchill to Viscount Rialton — Lord Godolphin's Craze — The Princess's Kindness — Marriage of Lady Anne Churchill— Her Husband's Character — Lord Sunderland's Anxiety for the Match— Anne's Gift to the Bride. . 243

Chapter XI

Grief of the Prince and Princess of Denmark for Their Son — Lord Manchester writes about King James — The Exile's Death — The Prince of Wales proclaimed King— William hears the News — His Intentions regarding Anne — The Commons vex King William — His Dutch Guards sent Home — His Majesty's Anger — He fears the Nation will be punished — Intends to vacate the Throne— Grants to His Favourites are revoked by Parliament — Foreigners driven from His Council — Is obliged to give up the Exiled Queen's Dowry — He rapidly declines — Accident at Hampton Court — Anne's Dutiful Message— Permission to see The King is refused — His Majesty is supported by " Spirituous Liquors" — He clings to Life — Gives All He has to his Favourite— His Hard Death — News is brought to Anne — Who is proclaimed Queen — Crowds flock to St. James's Palace — Lord Clarendon's Visit — Lady Marlborough's Words . 269

Chapter XII

Queen Anne's Popularity — Her First Speech — Gifts and Favours to Lord and Lady Marlborough — Her Coronation — Party Faction — Lady Marlborough's Account of Herself — Her Majesty's Affectionate Letter — Lord Marlboroxigh goes to the War — The Queen touches for the King's Evil — Bishop Bull explains why Cures are not Inevitable — Her Majesty's Physicians — Lord Marlborough is made a Duke — Lady Marlborough's Surprise — Pension from the Privy Purse — Parliament refuses to settle it on His Successors — The Queen's Generosity — The Duke's Correspondence with the Court of St. Germains — Astonishing Proposals of Marriage — Lady Betty Churchill becomes Countess of Bridgewater — The Duke's Son and Heir — Desires to enter the Army — Illness and Death — Grief at His Loss— Letters from the Duke — His Anxiety for His Wife's Health — Marriage of Lady Mary Churchill — The Duke of Montagu — Strange Story of the Mad Duchess — Prince George's Settlement — The Duke of Marlborough threatens to retire — The Queen writes to the Duchess , 289

ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. I

Sarah Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough . . . Froniispieu From the original by Sir Peter Lely.

Mary Beatrice, Consort of James II page 15

John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough ,,23

The Princess Anne 1, S6

Charles II. . . ,,69

James II. >> 112

Queen Mary » 163

The Earl of Albemarle . . . . . ,, 249

William III ,.280

The Marquis of Blandford ,, 314

Chapter I

A Memorable May Day— Birth of Sarah Jennings— The King enters London — Secret Marriage of James Duke of York — Views of the Royal Family — The Duchess of York — Frances Jennings her Maid of Honour — The Perilous Career of a Court Beauty — Sarah Jennings a Playmate of the Princess Anne — Death of the Duchess of York — John Churchill's Long Descent — The Duke and His Page — The Rewards of Winston Churchill — A Nimble Ensign — The Duke of York's Second Marriage — The Child Bride lands in England — The Duke of Monmouth — John Churchill falls in love with Sarah Jennings — A Wilful Beauty — The unsmooth Course of True Love — Churchill's ardent Love Letters — Sarah is unkind — Between Love and Money — Sarah's Indignation — Her Lover pleads — He despairs of Her Love — Sarah gives Plain Hints - — Such Barbarous Usage — Churchill's Indignant Letter — Peace and Private Marriage.

VOL. I.

CHAPTER I

ON the memorable 29th of May in the historic year of 1660, Sarah Jennings, who was destined to become the first Duchess of Marlborough, and to leave her record in the chronicle of courts, was born. One of five children, her parents were of ancient lineage ; her mother being a daughter of Sir GifFord Thorn hurst, of Agnes Court, Old Romney, in Kent ; whilst her father Richard Jennings was son of Sir John Jennings, who in the pleasant days of his youth had received the Order of the Bath in company with the Prince of Wales, afterwards Charles I. and unfortunate. Sir John Jennings was remarkable as being the father of two-and-twenty children, to settle whom in life his income of four thousand a year was sadly strained. His son Richard contrived by inheritance and marriage to gain properties in Somerset and Kent, and lived in fair repute and easy circumstances at St. Albans, where Sarah first saw light. His joy on her birthday was excessive, for she made her entrance into life on the same date as Charles II. made his into London ; His Majesty having ridden on that glorious May day

4 Uhc (SJueen's Comrabe

from Canterbury between hedges heavy with hawthorn, and green pastures for sight of which he had often sickened, he being surrounded and followed by a gracious and gallant cavalcade of those who, hearing of his return from exile, had hurried to greet him with a loyalty that swelled to worship.

And now that the evil effects of civil war had ended, that the country was no longer rent by factions, or families divided against themselves ; that the grim weight of puritanical rigour was lifted from the land, a time of universal rejoicing and reaction set in, and never in the history of the kingdom had so brilliant a Court been seen. Though the Merry Monarch was its principal figure, around which flippant gaiety or vicious intrigues revolved, his brother James, Duke of York, whose history is more important to these pages, was scarcely second to him in consequence and interest.

Different in type, they agreed in brotherly affection. Whilst. Charles was indolent, unceremonious, loving ease above all things, indifferent to the performance of his promises, often forgetful of his friends though unwilling to take revenge on his enemies, James was practical, economical and business-like as was shown by his masterly management of the revenues of the country and by his skilful command of the Navy, which won many victories under his sway ; he having at the same time a jealous regard for the royal prerogative and a great regard for his word. He could also hate his enemies as heartily as he could love his friends.

As at this time the dispute of dogmas did not trouble him and he was free from that bigotry that afterwards darkened his days, he followed his pleasures with a zest almost as keen as that of the King.

Six months before returning to England with Charles, the Duke of York had secretly married Anne Hyde, a Maid of Honour to his sister the Princess of Orange and a daughter of Edward Hyde, originally a lawyer who had risen to become Privy Councillor and Chancellor of the Exchequer to Charles I. This worthy man had shared the exile of Charles II., whose friend and adviser he became, and for whose return he had continually and successfully schemed. At the Restoration he was created Earl of Clarendon, and appointed Lord Chancellor, when he sent for his family from abroad.

With them came Anne, who soon assured her husband she was about to become a mother. No sooner was this made known to him, than James went to the King, confessed his secret marriage and asked permission to make it publicly known.

The Sovereign was both astonished and vexed that the heir to the Crown should have made such an alliance ; but though he and his brother well knew this union could readily be annulled, James declared that if Anne were not acknowledged as his wife, he would quit the kingdom ; whilst Charles resolved that no disgrace he could hinder should befall the daughter of a man to whom he owed so much.

The two remaining members of the royal family took a widely different view of the marriage ; for on

6 Zbc diueen's (lomra5e

hearing of it the Queen-Mother, then in France, wrote to James expressing her indignation and surprise " that he should have such low thoughts as to marry such a woman " ; whilst his sister, the Princess of Orange, contrived a plot to prevent him from acknowledging his wife. But this failing, Ann Hyde was remarried to the Duke of York in her father's house on October 22nd, 1660. She is said to have been more graceful than beautiful, more dignified than amiable. Though her husband was by no means faithful to her, she retained her influence over his mind and he invariably treated her with respect. Had she lived she would have been Queen of England, a dignity reserved for her two daughters, Mary, wife of William of Orange, and Anne, her successor.

The Duchess of York had inherited from her father a great share of that knowledge of mankind which gained for him the title of " chancellor of human nature " ; whilst from her mother she had derived that comeliness of person which had won her husband's heart. In her new and trying position she showed great prudence, " her carriage acquired dignity and from the first she learned to present her hand for courtiers to kiss with as much majesty as if she had been used to it all her life."

Having satisfied his conscience by the acknowledgment of this marriage, the Duke began to make advances to one of his wife's Maids of Honour, Frances Jennings, the sister, and senior by seven years, of the future Duchess of Marlborough. The

%n Belle Jennings 7

appointment of Frances, and later of Sarah, to positions at Court was made in acknowledgment of the devotion shown by their family to the Stuart cause. In a Court remarkable for the beauty of its women, Frances was soon given the title of La Belle Jennings ; for her complexion was dazzlingly fair, her expression vivacious, her bright hair as a crown of gold, and her mouth the most winsome in the world.

Besides she had a reputation for wit, a high spirit, and her power of repartee was unfailing. On coming to Court she had been surrounded by a crowd of admirers, gay and godless courtiers who worshipped loveliness, delighted in gallantry, and excelled in turning a compliment, penning an ode or strumming a guitar. But though loving the danger of exciting their ardour, she had sufficient virtue and pride to check all amorous advances ; and when the Duke of York began to ogle her, she ever found some object of interest elsewhere for her eyes.

And if she were blind to his glances, she was deaf to his words when he told her of his feelings and hinted at settlements. Though she would not listen to him she could not refuse to receive the notes containing the tenderest expressions and most extravagant promises which every day he slipped into her pockets or her muff ; but no sooner was his back turned than she pulled her handkerchief from the one and shook the other when billets fell about the floor like hailstones for the Duchess to see and for those who liked to pick up.

8 XCbe (Queen's Comrabc

Virtue so unusual in one so attractive became the talk of the Court ; when the King in his cynicism, believing his brother had failed because his attacks were ill concerted, resolved to try his own powers of persuasion and win her for himself. Delighted by her wit and charmed by her beauty, he soon declared himself her ardent lover, when Frances begged him to spare her, and Charles agreed to trouble her no more.

As for the Duke of York he soon afterwards transferred his attentions to Arabella Churchill, sister of the first Duke of Marlborough, who bore James three children, the eldest of whom, the Duke of Berwick, a gallant soldier followed his father into exile.

In the midst of the gaieties and extravagances of the Court ; the sailing in canopied barges to the sound of flutes and fiddles ; the riding in gilt coaches with glass windows in Hyde Park ; the brilliant cavalcades that journeyed to Hampton Court ; the revelry, gambling, dancing and intrigues that occupied the king and those surrounding him in an eternal pursuit of pleasure ; the Duchess of York lived in quiet dignity and bore her husband eight children ; two of whom, Mary and Anne, survived. As the latter grew up, a companion was found to amuse and play with her in Sarah Jennings then about twelve years old, who occasionally visited her sister at Court. The Princess Anne, four years her junior, was a backward child with little will of her own, an affection of whose sight prevented her from reading and interfered with her education. From the first she felt attracted to one

5U ibealtb ot tbc S)ucbess 9

whose firm mind and decisive manner contrasted with her own, and there and then began that singular friendship which was to guide her most important actions and dominate her life.

It is impossible that this should have been the case had the Duchess of York lived. But whilst the Court still followed its pleasures, death stole into the palace. It had been noticed that the Duchess, whose appetite was enormous, had become very corpulent, but it was not until she began to complain of ill health that this was looked on with suspicion. Doctors were then summoned who on examination declared she was suffering from a complication of diseases for which there was no cure.

For months previously a rumour had gained ground that she had joined the Catholic Church ; and it was noticed that although she attended divine service, she never received the sacrament ; on which Bishop Morley, who had been her confessor since her twelfth year, spoke to her of the inference drawn from this neglect, when she excused herself on the plea of ill health and business.

At last the King, knowing the fear that existed amongst the great bulk of the people against Catholicism at a time when in neighbouring countries the lurid fires of the Inquisition still burned their human victims, and how prejudicial it would be to his family that any of its members should leave the Established Church, asked his brother to remonstrate with the Duchess. On this James told him she had already joined the CathoUc lo Zbc (Queen's domrabe

Church, hearing which Charles ordered that it should be kept secret. In this he was obeyed until the Duchess of York at her death, which took place on March 22 nd, 1 67 1, confessed to Bishop Blandford that she was no longer one of his flock.

It was generally suspected that her husband had also changed his religion and in doing so had influenced her, though she left a paper stating that no man or woman had said anything or used the least persuasion to make her join a faith of which she had been one of the greatest enemies. A fear and dislike of James, the heir to the throne, from this time spread through the people, and eventually not only influenced his fate, but through him the destinies of Sarah Jennings and John Churchill whom she married.

The latter who became one of the greatest generals England has ever had, began life at Court as page to the Duke of York. In becoming a brave soldier he had shown hereditary traits, for his ancestor Roger de Courcelle, Baron of Poitou, had fought under William the Conqueror, and settled first in Somerset and afterwards in Devonshire, his surname becoming Anglicised to Churchill. Later Sir Bartholomew Churchill was killed while defending Bristol Castle in the reign of King Stephen, whilst another descendant, William Churchill, distinguished himself in fighting for Edward IV.

John Churchill's father — Winston Churchill — whilst yet an undergraduate at Oxford, joined the forces of Charles I., and as a captain of horse fought bravely for traifnston Cburcbill tt his King. He was still young when he married a daughter of Sir John Drake of Ash in Devonshire, and as his own property was confiscated by Cromwell, and a fine of four thousand pounds levied on him as a punishment for having joined the Royalists, he was obliged to take refuge with his father-in-law.

When King Charles returned, part of Winston Churchill's property was restored to him ; he was elected member for the borough of Weymouth and sat in the first parliament of the Restoration ; became one of the earliest members of the Royal Society ; was appointed a Commissioner of the Court of Claims in Ireland ; knighted ; and made Junior Clerk Comptroller of the King's Household.

His loyalty to the Stuarts was further rewarded when his son John, who was in his tenth year at the time of the Restoration, was made page to the Duke of York ; and his daughter Arabella, a Maid of Honour to the Duchess. Young Churchill, who proved himself a remarkably bright and intelligent lad, had for a short time been educated in Dublin, when he accompanied his father there, and afterwards at St. Paul's. From the moment he entered the Duke of York's service he gained his royal master's favour ; and whilst attending him at a review of the Foot Guards in Hyde Park, had shown so much enthusiasm as he watched the troops march past to the sound of fifes and the roll of drums, that James asked what profession he would wish to follow, when with that acuteness that always marked him, he seized