change of circumstances, or the brilliant prospect which
opened to her view. The recent death of her father relieved
her from the scruples which she had felt at his exclusion,
and the disputed legitimacy of her brother induced her to
acquiesce in the arrangements of the legislature; for even if
he was not supposititious, she persuaded herself that he was
disqualified by his religious principles, and considered her
assumption of the crown as necessary to secure the existence
of the established church. ^*

The first exercise of her power was the nomination of the
prince, her husband, to the offices of generalissimo of the
forces, and lord high admiral. Being regarded only as a
subject, he still continued to occupy a seat in the house of
peers, in the quality of duke of Cumberland.

The distinguished merits of the Earl of Marlborough, his
former zeal and services, his disgrace on her account, and her
own romantic affection to his countess, were powerful recom-
mendations to her favour and confidence. Accordingly, the
honours which his talents had extorted from William were
but the prelude to higher distinctions and employments.
Three days after her accession he was nominated knight of
the Garter. On the ensuing day he was appointed captain-
general of the English forces, at home and abroad, and soon
afterwards master of the ordnance. His countess was also
made groom of the stole and mistress of the robes, and in-
trusted with the management of the privy purse.

To the countess the queen also gave an additional and
delicate proof of her regard. Recollecting that in their ex-
cursions through Windsor Park she had repeatedly admired
the situation of the great lodge, the queen seized the earliest
opportunity of offering her the rangership, to which that
lodge was attached. In one of her familiar notes, after
alluding to Lord Portland, who had been ranger under the
late king, she added, Mentioning this worthy person puts

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