The Sun.
London, England, 1818-06-15 00:00:00

LITERARY REVIEW.

MEMOIRS of JOHN DUKE of MARLBOROUGH; with
his Original Correspondence, collected front the Paulily
Records at Blenheim, and other authentic Sources: illus-
trated With Portraits, Map, and Military Plans. By WIL-
LIAM CORE, M.A. F.R.S. F.S.A. Archdeacon of Wilts.
LosumAN, Huasr, Roes, ORME, and BROWN, Paternos-
ter-I'ow•.

(Continua from 'rift StrN of the %th instant.)

That virulence of party spirit, which formed the
prominent feature in the age of Queen ANNE,
appears to have exercised a baneful influence on
MAaLttoaouou's destiny. In the full tide of
mili-
tary success, he was otten recalled from the pnr-
snit of glory, to oppose the conflicts of the Whigs,
or counteract the intrigues of the TOries. Even
his domestic happiness vas embittered by the
same source ; for whilst his brother kept his sta-
tion amongst the most impracticable Toties, his
Wife evinced a strong partiality for the NVltigs,
and a still stronger repugnance for their antago-
nists.

" tiViti► a native frankness of character, and a spirit too do-
mineering to tonsnit the opinions even of those site loved and
esteemed, the Countess had imbibed an early partiality to the
Whig 'party and principles; which was strengthened by the
marriage of her danghter with Lord Spencer. Dcfore the
accession of Anne, no incident had occurred to create a col-
lision Of sttatiment between the Princess and bee faVottrite,
notwithstanding their discordance on political questions ; or
rather their common antipathy to William absorbed every
other consideration. ittit immediately after that event a
change occurred; and in the petty bickerings which arose,
Marlborough and Godolphin were often involved, either be-
cause they supported the opinions of their Royal Mistress, or
endeavoured to restrain the antipathies and 'partialities •of
the Countess, To this. subject it is here sufficient to advert,
merely to mark the commencement of a dispute, which after.
wards rose to great a height, and operated with so fatal as
effect.

Another source of doßiestic 'embarrassment was derived
from the conduct and principles of his brother, George
Churchill. Availing himself of his SA nehte With the Prince
of Denmark, be arrogated - a degree of superiority at the
Naval Board to which he was not entitled': and in particular
endeavoured to obtain precedence over his colleague, Sir David
Mitchell. Etc was compelled to recede, by the vernonstrances
of his brother; but his high Tory partialities afterwat-ds
proved a perpetual source d contention."
It has been customary to represent the charac-
ter and conduct of the celebrated SARAH in the
mostoslions colours. ‘Ve have hitherto met with
nothing in Mr. COXR'S Memoirs which sanctions
the prejudices so generally admitted against her.
The following letter, addressed to Lord GODOL•
!qui, shortly.after the Queen's accession, con-
tains sentiments equally honourable to her sense
and her integrity; and indeed almost persuades
us, that in common with many great men, this
%roman might have been capable of genuine feel-
ings, had she not been prematurely spoiled by
adulation and prosperity t

" Margate, Tuesday, ilitty 29.
" Since you have been so kind as to write so long a letter
for my satisfaction, I hope it will hold out to read my answer,
though I know my opinion is very insignificant upon most
occasions. In the first place, I will begin without say come
pliment, and say that if any. thing could give me a worse
thought of the meetings of those gentlemen (the Tories) than
I had before, it would be their desire to turn any man out of
an-employment to put in my Lord Sandwich. This looks to
me as if every thing were to be governed by faction and non-
sense ; and 'tis no matter what look things have in the world,
or what men are made use of, if they are but such creatures
as will, rigbt or wrong, be at the disposal of two or, three
arbitrary men that are at the head of them. How long they
will be able to support that way of government I can't tell ;
but if they are strong enough to go on with it, I am apt to
think it will not end in hardships only to the Lords Lieute-
nants of England. •
"-MY Lord Lexinton having a mind to quithis employtnent,
shews lie thinks it is better for him to depend upon the Whig
party, considering his behaviour to the Queen and Prince
formerly; for I am sure self-interest is his first consideration,
• and Ido not think him very wrong in that choice. At least
if I had any power to dispose of places,, the fiist rule should.
be to have those that were proper for the business ; the next
those that had deserved upon any occasion; and whenever
there was room without hurting the public, I think one would
with pleasure give-employments to those that Were in so une
happy a condition as to want theni. Whether any of these
reasons will serve for my Lord Weymouth I am in some
doubt; but I am sure he is one that will make a noise, and
give dissatisfaction to many that I believe wish well, and
could be useful to the Government.
" But that which is the greatest trouble to me is yet to
answer, that is, what you say concerning the dispute between
My brother George and Sir David Mitchell, whom I do not
know, but I think I have heard a great character of him ;
and I have no sort of patieoco to think that a lirothi:r of
Lord Marlborough should put the least difficulty or stop to
any thing that is for the Queen's service and the good of the
country, for any senseless pretension or interest of his own,
which, .without knowing any thing of .the particulars, I am
inclined to believe ha has no just right, and certainly he
Aould not make use of the Queen's favour but to serve her
in tine _first place:"
A female politician was no novelty in the age
of ANNE. In a revolutionary period, women are
compelled to emerge from the privacy awl secu-
rity of domestic life, and to take an active part
in that svlri•ch comes home to men's bosoms. At
this era even -a stateswoman presented no por-
tentous prodigy. he profligate court of CHARLES
H. had furnished abundant examples of female
interference in tine disposal of places and prefer.-
mews but perhaps the wife of MARLBOROUGH
eras the first woman who acquired power without
submitting to previous degradation, and to a de-
eliction of that modesty which is at once the
uituue grace and highest dignity of woman. What-
vs yr may be said of the Duchess as a politician,
tr is impossible to doubt that she possessed peen-
barms of manners and conversation, since
tilter left union of 24 years, she still preserved the