the achievements of the duke of Marlborough but not thstanding the genius of both, neither of these distin ished men seem to have fulfilled very desirable objects Marlborough, from some defect of generosity, could not gage the affections of his countrymen. He was disissed from all his employments, 1711, and chose rather live on the continent than in England. Lord Peterbough's enterprises were more splendid than useful. The lent of great warriors in the present age, commands less Imiration than it once did. Great men are now disovered to be good men, and to love peace better than ar. In January, 1712, a treaty for a general peace was pened at Utrecht; but it was so difficult to adjust the aims of the many different states who had taken part in e war, that the negotiations could not be brought to an nd till April, 1713, when the treaty of Utrecht was signed. The chief articles of this treaty which concerned Eng and were, that Louis should resign Newfoundland, Hud on's Bay, and the island of St. Christopher's to the Eng sh, that he should abandon the cause of the Pretender, nd acknowledge Anne and the Protestant succession. The Pretender, who had now assumed the name of the Chevalier St. George, protested ineffectually against this rticle of the treaty. Louis, however, still afforded him rotection. He had married a daughter of John Sobieski, ing of Poland; a princess of very exalted character, and ar superior to her husband both in capacity and merit. The Pretender had two sons, Charles Edward, and Henry. The eldest was afterwards known as the young Pretender, to distinguish him from his father, who is often ermed the old Pretender. Henry took orders in the Romish church, and was afterwards cardinal of York. The electress Sophia died, in her 84th year; and her son, George, became the head of the Protestant succession. A few months after A. D. 1713. Were the enterprises of Marlborough and Peterborough very important o the English nation ? When was the peace of Utrecht made? What were the chief articles of the treaty of Utrecht ? How did the Pretender regard the treaty of Utrecht ? Who were the Pretender's sons? Who was appointed successor of Queen Arne? the death of Sophia, the queen fell into a bad state ol health; occasioned, it is said, by the intolerable dissenFions amongst her ministers. The Whig party proved in the end the stronger; and at length the queen's death visibly approaching, a letter was sent to the elector of Hanover, desiring him to come immediately to Holland, where a squadron should be in waiting to bring him to England. Heralds were kept in readiness to proclaim king George, the instant the queen should expire. Care was also taken to secure the seaports, and many other precautions were adopted to prevent the Tories and Jacobites from attempting the restoration of the Stuarts. The queen died August 1, 1714, in the 51st year of her age, and in the 13th of her reign. She married George son of Frederick III., king of Denmark, and had nine children; only one of whom, George, Duke of Gloucester lived beyond the age of infancy. He died July 23, 1700. aged eleven years. Though Anne was a woman of no very brilliant quali ties, yet many lasting benefits were in her reign conferred on the country. Among these was the union with Scotland, a measure which James I. had vainly attempted to accomplish, and which succeeding kings had thought impracticable, and which at last was not effected withou much opposition from those whose private interests or pre judices made them adverse to it. By the terms of the Union the two kingdoms were in future to be considered as one country. The Scots were to retain their own Presbyterian form of church govern. ment, their established laws for the administration of jus tice, and in all matters of property; but it was settled that instead of retaining their parliament, they should send forty-five commoners and sixteen peers to represent them in the English parliament. Which proved the stronger party, the Whigs or Tories ? Mary, daughter of James II. Anne, daughter of James II. George I. son of the electress Sophia of Hanover, who was daug! te f James 1.'s daughter, the electress palatine. The old Pretender, James Francis, was the son of king James II. The young Pretender, Charles Edward, and Henry, cardinal of York. ere sons of the Pretender James Francis. The reign of Anne is certainly a brilliant period of Engish history, and very few other periods can be named in vhich so many men of genius flourished together. Of he military and naval achievements of the reign a brief sketch has been given. This period is also regarded as an epoch in the history of taste and literature. Dryden had died in 1701, one year before the accession of Anne. Locke died only two years after. Pope, Steele, and Addison flourished during her reign, and perhaps did more towards the improvement of the general style of thinking and writing than was done by any other writer. The Tatler and Spectator, which were chiefly written by Steele and Addison, were the first periodical works that appeared in England, and were read with the greatest avidity by all classes of persons. Dr. Swift, who wrote many political and satirical works, was also one of the greatest geniuses of this age. Sir Isaac Newton, whose genius towered above that of all his contemporaries, lived all through the reign of Anne, and did not die till 1727. His great work on the system of the universe was published in the time of William III Newton was not only one of the profoundest philoso phers, but also one of the most sincere and humble Chris Was the reign of Anne remarkable fo the manifestation of mind? What were the remarkable literary productions of this reign? Who was the most eminent philosopher of this reign? tians that ever lived. His father was a gentleman of sinall estate at Woolstrop, in Lincolnshire, and died when he was very young. His mother married again, and sir Isaac was employed by his father-in-law as a shepherd bov. One day, while Isaac was keeping the sheep, a gentlemar passing by observed that he was deeply occupied in some book, and had the curiosity to ask him what it was. To his surprise he found it was a book of practical geometry. This circumstance was mentioned to some of his mother's relations, who rescued him from his humble employment, and placed him at a school at Grantham. Newton's progress there was quite astonishing, and he was "noted for his strange inventions and extraordinary inclination for mechanics. He had a little shop of tools, as little saws, hatchets, and hammers, with which he amused himself in making models in wood of various things." Newton's extreme modesty and gentleness of temper were more extraordinary than even his talents and acquirements. He retained the full use of his powers of mind to the last day of a long life, and was never guilty of any one excess, unless it might be that of an excess of gulv Marlborough was a man of extreme calmness and tran quility. Nothing flurried, nothing disconcerted him. His judgment and presence of mind were ready for all occasions. Commanding an army composed of officers and men of different states and nations, whose interests were perpetually clashing, he listened to no cabals or jealousies, but acted in a straight forward manner for the public cause. Of his command of temper one very striking instance is recorded. It has been mentioned that the duke of Marlborough was not beloved by the English, but he nossessed some qualities worthy of respect and imitation Prince Eugene had proposed, at a council of war, tha' Was Newton distinguished when a child? no attack should be made the next day on the enemy Though nothing evidently could be more judicious than this proposal, the duke positively refused to consent to it. The prince called him a coward, and challenged him; but Marlborough kept his temper, and declined the challenge On this the prince, being violently enraged, left the council Early the following morning prince Eugene was awoke by Marlborough, who, coming to his bedside, desired him to rise, as he was preparing to make the attack, and added, "I could not tell you my determination last night, because there was a person present who I knew was in the enemy's interest, and would betray us. I have no doubt we shall conquer, and when the battle is over, I will be ready to accept your challenge." Prince Eugene was overpowered by Marlborough's greatness of mind, and asked his pardon for his own intemperate conduct. The duke accepted his apologies, saying, "I thought, my dear prince, you would in time bet satisfied." CHAPTER XXXVI. GEORGE I. [Years after Christ, 1714-1727.] Anne died, as has been said, August 1, 1714, and he elector of Hanover was immediately proclaimed. He arrived in England Sept. 16, and was met at Greenwich, where he landed, by many persons of high office and rank. Amongst these was the duke of Marlborough, who had lately returned to England, and whom, both at this time, and ever after, the king treated with great distinction. George, at his accession, was in the fifty-fifth year of his age. George was a man of plain steady understanding, grave in his manner, and simple in his habits, and had the repu What reasons did Marlborough offer for his conduct? |