sand crowns for her ransom. She passed the remainder of her agitated life in retirement, and died in

1482.

Although this princess may be accused of having shewn much of the barbarity and ferocity of the age in which she lived, and of a want of moderation in prosperity, the firmness she displayed in her misfortunes will ever be a subject worthy of admiration.

DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.

JOHN CHURCHILL, Duke of Marlborough, so celebrated in the English annals, was the son of Sir Winston Churchill, and born at Ashe, in Devonshire, in 1650. He received but an indifferent education; for his father took him to court at the of twelve years, where he became page to the Duke of York, and in 1666 he obtained a pair of colours in the guards.

age

His first service was at Tangier; and at his return he became the favourite of the Duchess of Cleveland, who gave him five thousand pounds, with which he purchased an annuity for life. He served afterwards under the great Turenne, who was so pleased with his person and bravery, as to call him the handsome Englishman. He distinguished himself so gallantly at the siege of Maestricht, that the King of France publicly thanked him at the head of the regiment. On his return to England he was made lieutenant-colonel, gentleman of the bedchamber, and master of the robes to the Duke of York. He attended that prince to Holland and Scotland; and about this time married Miss Jennings, maid of honour to Princess, afterwards Queen Anne.

In 1682, he was shipwrecked with the Duke of York in their passage to Scotland; on which occasion his royal highness expressed the utmost anxiety to save his favourite. The same year he was made a peer, by the title of Baron Eymouth, in Scotland; and when James came to the crown, he was sent to France

to notify the event. In 1685 he was created Lord Churchill, of Sandridge. The same year he suppressed Monmouth's rebellion, and took him prisoner. He continued to serve King James with great fidelity till the arrival of the Prince of Orange, and then left him; for which he has been stigmatized by several writers, and perhaps, unjustly, with base ingratitude. His own apology was, a regard for the religion and constitution of his country.

King William created him Earl of Marlborough in 1689, and appointed him commander in chief of the English army in the Low Countries. He next served in Ireland, and reduced Cork, with other strong places. But in 1692, he was suddenly dismissed from his employments and committed to the Tower; from whence, however, he was soon released. The cause of this disgrace has never been clearly explained. After the death of Queen Mary, he was restored to favour; and at the close of that reign he had the command of the English forces in Holland, and was appointed ambassador extraordinary to the States, who chose him captain-general of their forces.

On the commencement of Queen Anne's reign he recommended a war with France and Spain, which advice was adopted. In the first campaign of 1702 he took a number of strong towns, particularly Liege. The following year, upon his return to England, he received the thanks of both houses, and was honoured with a dukedom by the queen. In 1704 he joined Prince Eugene, with whom he fought the French and Bavarians at Hockstadt, and obtained a complete victory, taking Marshal Tallard prisoner, with many other officers of rank, whom he brought to England.