subject occasioned the most indecorous altercations between
the two royal sisters, and became the source of the subsequent
quarrel which divided the royal family. Irritated by these
disputes, Anne pursued her purpose with redoubled zeal, and
her cause was earnestly promoted by the Earl and Countess of
Marlborough. Her pretensions were warmly supported by
the Tories and disaffected, while the king would rely only on
his own personal friends and the zealous Whigs. A con-
siderable majority of the parliament was therefore enlisted
on the side of the princess, and her claims became generally
popular among the great body of the nation.

In this state of the public mind, her friends in the House
of Commons proposed to grant her an independent revenue
of 70,000l. a year. To prevent the decision of the question,
the king adjourned the parliament. But the princess was of
too tenacious a character to relinquish her object, particularly
as her party was increased by many who were alienated by
the reserve of the king. In this crisis lures and threats
were alternately held forth to the Countess of Marlborough,
with the hope of inducing the princess to desist through her
influence. The countess continued firm, and the question
was revived in the House of Commons soon after the com-
mencement of the session. The court now found that oppo-
sition was fruitless. With the consent of both parties the
debate was adjourned; and, in the interval, a compromise
was effected, by which an annual allowance of 50,000l. was
settled in parliament as the civil list of the princess.

The success of this measure being principally ascribed by
Anne to the exertions of the Earl and Countess of Marl-
borough, contributed still more to endear them to her, while
it rendered them in an equal degree obnoxious to the king
and queen. Anne was not tardy in testifying her gratitude
for so acceptable a service; and, in an affectionate letter,
offered her favourite an additional salary of 1000l. a year.
The countess at first declined the generous proposal from
motives of delicacy, but her scruples were overruled by the
representations of Lord Godolphin.

Though dissatisfied with Marlborough's conduct respecting
the settlement of the princess, William was unwilling to lose
the services of so able an officer. As his presence was
deemed necessary in England for the regulation of public

-26-