of Sandridge, and in the apartments which his lady occupied
at Berkley House. The Princess Anne, indeed, considered
him as the victim of her cause, and proposed to create in her
household a new place in his favour, with a salary of 1000l.
a year; but the offer was declined.

Soon after this period, attempts were made to soothe the
resentment of the king. The duke of Shrewsbury, who
had recently been appointed secretary of state, and placed
at the head of a new administration, availed himself of the
complaints, arising from the ill success of the war on the
Continent, to recommend Marlborough to notice. But to
his urgent representations in Marlborough's favour, William
coldly replied, "I do not think it for the good of my service
to intrust the command of my troops to him."

Towards the close of the year, a melancholy event oc-
curred, which produced a change in the situation of the
royal family. This was, the death of Queen Mary, which
happened on the 28th of December, 1694. Since the un-
fortunate rupture, which followed the disgrace of Marl-
borough, various attempts had been made to mediate a re-
conciliation between the queen and princess, but without
effect; because the offended dignity of Mary vanquished her
affection as a sister, and in her last moments her disorder
was too malignant, and her dissolution too sudden for her to
receive the overtures made by the princess.

The death of the queen placed William in a new and cri-
tical situation. Many had begun to suggest doubts of his
right to the crown, and some even argued, that as the par-
liament had been summoned in the joint names of the king
and queen, it was dissolved by the death of either. Had
the princess abetted these objections, she might doubtless
have created much confusion in the state, and formed a
party dangerous to the authority of the king. But instead
of testifying the slightest wish to question his right, she
made an affectionate appeal to his feelings, in a letter of con-
dolence, expressing extreme concern at having incurred the
displeasure of the deceased queen, and declaring her readiness
to wait on him, and give proofs of respect for his person,
and zeal for his interest.

At the moment when this spontaneous overture had pro-
duced its effect, Lord Somers, who had long regretted the

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