signs of satisfaction and triumph, than I think I ever saw before on any
good success whatever; and after the first tribute of praise to God, the
first cause of all that is good, every one studies who shall most exalt the
Duke of Marlborough's fame, by admiring the great secrecy, excellent
conduct in the design, and wonderful resolution and courage in the exe-
cution. The emperor can give no title ^* half so glorious as such an
action. How much blood and treasure has been spent to reduce the ex.
orbitant power of France, and to give a balance to Europe; and when,
after so long a struggle, the event remained under great uncertainty, to
have the glory to break the chain, give the greatest blow to that ty-
ranny that it ever had, have an emperor to owe his empire to the queen's
armies, as conducted by his grace, are splendours that outshine any re-
ward they can receive.

I do not wonder you are all joy. You have just cause for it, and to
recount every day with the utmost thankfulness the amazing blessings God
has heaped upon you. The bishop heartily prays for the continuance of
the duke's success, so that the queen may have the greatest glory that is
possible, that is, the restoring peace and liberty to Europe, and, what is
greater, the free profession of the Protestant religion, wherever it has been
persecuted or oppressed; and that after her, her ministers, who are the
instruments, may share in the lasting blessings and glory due to such
benefactors to mankind. Sure no honest man can refuse to unite in
such noble designs. I am really giddy with joy, and, if I rave, you
must forgive me. I can lament for no private loss, since God has given
such a general mercy. In death it would be a matter of joy to me to
have lived so long as to hear it.

"The bishop said he could not sleep, his heart was so charged with
joy. He desires your grace would carefully lay up that little letter ^†
,
as a relic that cannot be valued enough. Some wiser people than myself
think the nation is in so good a humour with this great success, and the.
plentiful harvest, that better circumstances can hardly meet for a new
parliament; and, with a little care, it may be as good a one as the de-
praved manners of this nation is capable of. I pray God direct and
prosper all her majesty's counsels and resolutions in this, and every
thing else, and make her the universal protectress of truth and charity.
And may your grace be ever a happy favourite, happy in all your ad.
vices and services, and happy in her majesty's kind approbation and
esteem; and may every honest heart love you as well, and endeavour to
serve you as faithfully, as does your grace's most obedient," &c.

While Marlborough was thus raising the glory of his
country to a height greater than it had ever before reached,
while its victories were fixing the religion and constitution
on a firm basis, he was exposed to the petty cavils of the
discontented among both parties in England, whom he equally
offended by his desire of preserving himself in a state of in-
dependence.

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