William to the throne. Still, however, he was continued in
the commission of the treasury by the new monarch, who
entertained a high opinion of his abilities and integrity.
He held his situation at the head of the board, from 1690
to 1696; and resigned, as we have already observed, in con-
sequence of the accusations of Sir John Fenwick. He re-
mained out of office during the administration in which the
Whigs were predominant.

No public change produced the slightest diminution in the
cordial friendship which had long subsisted between the two
statesmen; and amidst the various revolutions of fortune
and trying incidents which afterwards befel them, their in-
tercourse was invariably marked with the same esteem and
confidence. Their connexion was consolidated by the re-
spectful attachment of Godolphin to the Countess of Marl-
borough; of whose character and talents he appears to have
entertained the highest admiration, and to whose opinions,
and even caprice, he paid unlimited deference. ^*

The intercourse of the parents produced an intimacy
between their children; and all parties witnessed with sin-
gular pleasure a growing attachment between Francis the
only son of Lord Godolphin, and Lady Henrietta Churchill.
Meeting with the full approbation of the parents, it soon
terminated in a matrimonial union, which took place in 1698,
when the young lady had attained her eighteenth year. The
Princess Anne interested herself warmly in the match, and
offered in the most delicate terms to endow the bride with a
marriage portion of 10,000l. The Countess of Marlborough
would not, however, accept more than 5000l., though the
establishment of the young couple was ill-adapted to their
rank; for Godolphin in the management of the finances had
added to the wealth of his country without increasing his
own; and the fortune of Marlborough was not yet suffi-
ciently ample to furnish a liberal portion to each of his four
daughters. He added, however, 6000l. to the generous gift
of the princess.

Of all their children, Lady Anne, the second daughter,
was perhaps the most endeared to them, by personal and
mental accomplishments, as well as by uncommon sweetness
of disposition, and a maturity of judgment above her years.

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