The Life of John; Duke of Marlborough (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1842. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The humanity of Marlborough's disposition appears in his correspondence with Godolphin at this time. Inclosing to him a letter from a young French lady to the Compte de Lyon, who was a prisoner in England, he says, " I am assured that it is a very virtuous love, and that, when they can get their parents' consent, they are to be married. As I do from my heart wish that nobody were unhappy, I own to you that this letter has made me wish him in France; so that, if he might have four months' leave, without prejudice to her Majesty's service, I should be glad of it." Marlborough was now attacked in inflammatory libels. One of the authors was convicted and sentenced to the pillory. Through the intercession of the Duchess his punishment was remitted, greatly to Marlborough's comfort. "I should have been very uneasy," he said, "if the law had not found him guilty, but much more uneasy if he had suffered the punishment on my account." It was Marlborough's opinion, that " if the liberty may be taken of writing scandalous lies without being punished, no government can stand long." It was the Emperor's pressing desire that Marlborough should resume his plan of attacking France on the side of the Moselle; but the English general knew how little he could rely upon the promises of the Imperial court, or the cooperation of the German princes. His own desire was, that the great effort should be made in Italy, where he proposed to join Eugene. Godolphin reluctantly acquiesced in this; but the German princes, and the king of Denmark, whose troops were to be thus employed, objected; the Dutch were not to be persuaded, and some successes of Villars and Marsin upon the Upper Rhine Bo alarmed the States, that, looking upon Marlborough's presence as their only and sure protection, the...