The Sun.
London, England, 1818-06-05 00:00:00

rest :

" The family of Jennings, like that of Churchill, was de-
voted to the royal cause, and consequently enjoyed consider-
able favour at Court after the Restoration ; for we find two
daughters of Mr. Jennings at an early period filling honour-
able situations in the royal household.
"Frances, the eldest, one of the most lovely women of
the age, was placed about the person of the Duchess of York.
She first espoused Sir George Hamilton, grandson of James,
-second Earl of Ahercorn, a marechal de camp in the French
service. He died 1667, leaving issue by her, three daughters;
and she married secondly Richard Talbot, who after the Re-
solution was distinguished for his attachment to the exiled
monarch, and by him created Duke of Tyreonnel.
" Sala!), the younger sister, was also introduced into the
Court of the Duchess of York, at the early age of twelve.
She grew up under the protection of her royal patroness, and
became the --companion of the Princess Anne. Though not
so traliscendantly lovely as her sister, her animated counte-
nance and commanding figure attracted numerous admirers;
and even in the,dawn of beauty she received advantageous
offers of marriage from 'different persons of consideration,
among whom we may reckon the Earl of Lindsay, afterwards
Marquis of Ancaster. In the midst of a licentious court, she
maintained an unspotted reputation, and was as much re-
spected for her prudence and
.propriety of conduct, as she
was admired for the charms of her person and the vivacity of

her conversation.
" Of this young Ladyrolonel Churchill become enamoured
when she had scarcely completed her sixteenth year; and his
person, politeness, and amenity of manners, joined with his
reputation for bravery, made an early and deep impression
on her heart. The interest which the Duchess herself took
in this important event of her youth, prompted her to pre-
serve many of the letters which passed during their courtship.
" Nothing is perhaps more trivial than the general corres-
pondence of lvers. Still, however, the minutest feelings of a
great mind are not without interest, and it gratifies our na-
tural curiosity to trace the sentiments of extraordinary cha-
racters in those situations Into which they fall in common
with the generality of mankind. The letters of the Colonel
and his future consort display the peculiar features of their
respective characters; and strew the origin and growth of
that deep and ardent attachment to which lie owed a higher
degree both of happiness and disquietude than usually ac-
companies the nuptial anion. His notes in particular breathe
a romantic tenderness and keen sensibility, which appear
foreign to the general sedateness of his character. Indeed
this correspondence fully exemplifies the eulogium afterwards
paid to him by King William, that to tire coolest head he
'united the warmest heart. Tire letters of the Lady evince,
on the other hand, the vivacity and petulance of her temper:
and display that alternate haughtiness and courtesy which
gave her so powerful a command over the passions of those
to whom she was attached.
" The-courtship passed through the usual forms of 'coyness
and ardour, professions on 'the part of the lover, and reserve
on the part of the ladyi and was attended with numberless
complaints an& apologies, bickerings and reconciliations.
Several obstacles also gavestrength to their mutual passion, as
will as retarded their union. The first difficulty arose from
tire want of a competent establishment. Colonel Churchill
could not expect any fortune from bis father, who had seve-
ral children, and was embarrassedin circumstances; and his
own actual income consisted in places and emoluments at
Court, with an annuity of 5001. which he had purchased from
Lord Halifax in 1674. The family property of the Lady was
snore ample than that oilier lover, but was considerably in-
cumbered, by the provision made for the establishment of
ber.grandfather's numerous issue. Her portion therefore at
this period was small; and it was not till some time after the
marriage that it was augmented, by the death of her brothers
wiithout issue. Some pecuniary arrangement appears to have
been proposed in their favour by the Duchess of York, but at
first it was rejected by the Lady, in a fit of spleen and dissa-
tisfaction.

" The next obstacle was derived from the opposition of Sir
Winston and Lady Churchill, who were anxious to unite their
son with a lady of considerable fortune, though less favoured
with the gifts of nature than Miss Jennings. The report of
this alliance being circulated, awakened her alarm end re-
sentment, and she nut only reproached him with selfishness
and infidelity, but with effected -disinterestedness urged him

t 6 ;in all:I.:or:lint
worldly prospc-cts. At the same time she declaicil that, to
escape from his further importunities, she would acoompatiti,
tier sister, the Countess of Hamilton, on an intended jOill•-
ney to Paris. This reproach drew from the lover a warm re-
monstrance agnitist her injustice anti cruelty, and a pathetic
appeal tober affection, which was nut made in.% a i
" The reconciliation was soon followed by their marriage,
but at what precis.eZlMC it to4lilace,we have not been able
to ascertain,_ though it must lialif'been,:in.the. beginning ci4
1675."

Mr. CoxE appears anxious to remove an
.opinion
very commonly entertained, that the consort of
MAELS.EOUGI4, who was unquestionably a ‘IA-5-
1111111 of cxtraordinaty understanding, held hirn In
complete vassalage to tier imperious will. That
this influence Was over-rated is sufficiently ob-
vious front the well-founded fact, that he Often
rcssted her better j.idgment. It was in opposi-
tion to her intreaties that he introdticed to .the
Cabinet the Secretary IlAtu.c.Y, eventually the au-
thor of his disgrace. The origin of the ljuchess's
attachment to the Whigs is traced to domestic
circumstance

" Lord Spencer, the only son of Lord and Lady Sunder-
land, having recently lost his wife, Lady Arabella Cavendish,
daughter of the bithe of Newcastle, his anxious parents

within a few months proposed to unite him with Lady Anne
Churchill, first through the agency of Lord Godolphin, and
his sister Nlrs. Boscaaen, and subsequently by a direct appli-
cation. In one of the letters written during this negotiation,
Lord Sunderland artfully observes 'lf I see him so settled,
I shall desire nothing more in this world but to die in-peace,
if it please God. I must add this, that if he can lie thus
happy, he will be got erned in every thing public and private
by Lord Marlborough. 1 have particularly talked to• him of
that, and he is sensible hoW advantageous it will be to him to
be so. I need not, lam sure, desire that all this May be a,
secret to every body but Lady Marlborough.'
" The proposal was not however received with equal warmth
by the parents of the young lady. Lord Spencer in person
was highly favoured by nature, and no less liberally gifted

with intellectual endowments, which he bad improved by as-
siduous study. He was remarkable for a sedateness above his
years; but in him a bold and impetuous spirit was concealed
tinder a cold and reserved exteriia-. Imbued with that ardent
love of liberty, which the youthful mind generally draws
from the writers of Greece ;Ina Rome, and educated amidst
the effervescence which produced the revolution, lie was a
zealous champion of the Whig doctrines, in their most en-
larged sense. Associating with the remnant of republicans
who had survived the common-wealth, he caught their spirit.
He was an animated speaker; and in the warmth of debate,

disdained to spare the prejudices or failings even of those
Kith whom lie was most intimately connected. Ills political
idol was Lord Somers, though he wanted both the prudence

and temper of so distinguished a leader.
" The deportment of the young nobleman iq private life
was ill calculated to win the esteem of those who could not
regard with indulgence the defects of his public'eharacter.—
Abhorring the very shadow of adulation, he carried his free-
dom of speech to a degree of bluntness which was often of-
fence. At this period the loss of a beloved wife threw a gloom
over his mind; and gave the appearance of additional harsh-

ness to his manners and temper.
" A man of so unaccommodating a disposition was not
likely to conciliate the favour of the Countess of Marlborough,
who was accustomed to adulation, and fond of flattery. As
little did his political principles accord with those of her
Lord, who «•as averse to party violence, and particularly
hostile to those republican notions which were • fzt,hionable
among the ardent Whigs of the day. We are nut therefore
surprised to find the parents of the young lady receiving the
proposal of a match with coldness, and
,starting numerous
objections, notwithstanding the friendship whirl, subsisted
between the two families. Lord and, Lady Sunderland, how-

ever, persisted in their solicitations, and extenuated the fail-
ings of their son with all the partiality of parental affection.
" By degrees these instances produced an impression.—
Lady Marlborough being less hostile to Whig principles than
her husband, overlooked the political violence of her future
son-in-law; but her maternal feelings suggested another dif-
ficulty. Judging from the natural reserve of Lord Spencer,
and the additional gloom with which lie was now depressed,
she deemed him averse to a new marriage, and withheld her
approbation,. from a fear lest her beloved child should be
made the sacrifice of a match without affection.

" At length the charms and accomplishments of Lady Anne
dissipated the grief of the young widower; and he felt the
passion which her youth, beauty, and merit, could not fail
to inspire. The impression sunk deep in a res,erved but
ardent mind ; and he testified no less anxiety for the alliance
than
,his parents. The intelligence of this conquest was ex-
ultingly communicated by his mother to Lady Marlborough,
and nccoe►panied with the most pressing intreaties to hasten
-an union, which she hoped would equally ensure like felicity of
both parties.

" By the zealous interposition of Lady Marlborough, the
objections of her husband were gradually removed. But he
did not give his consent without strong forebodings that his
intended son-in-law would not long maintain the pronsised•
chwnge in his political habits and principles;. and his fears
were fully realised; for it soon appeared that the; father had;
overrated his son's docility, when engaged that he should
be guided in every thing public and private by the Earl of
Marlborough.' "

(To Le continm,yl,)

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PUBLIC.

An Account of all sums received under an Act passed in
the last Session of Parliament, as far as the same relates to
the powers given to the Lords of the Treasury, to Carry into
effect his Royal Highness the Prince Regent's and other per-
sons' intentions towards the public•eervicc

The monies received under an Act 57 Geo. 111. cap. 5,
sec. 38, from sundry persons holding offices and places in his
Majesty's service, or from others having or holding pensions,
or other emoluments derived from the public, amount to the
sum of twenty-eight thousand six hundred pounds.

JAMES FISHER, Receiver.
Exchequer, May 26, 1818.

There have been carried to an account, raised at Messrs.
Coutts and Co.'s, by tha command of his Royal Highness the
Prince Regent, intituled,“ An Account of the Contribution
from his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, under the Act
57 Geo. 111. cap. 5," certain sums of money, amounting to-
gether to 25,0001.; and his Royal Highness has commanded
that the full slim of 50,0001. be caTried to that account. as
soon as the issues for the Civil List for the yftr ending the sth
April, 1818, aie completed, and that the 50,0001. bethen.paid
in one sum into the Exchequer.
Whitehall Treasury Chambers. C. ARBUTHNOT.
May 27, •1818.