The perplexity which these threats created, and the dis-
appointment which Marlborough himself felt, in the failure
of his efforts to vanquish the opposition of the queen, may
be traced in the subsequent letters.

To the Duchess.

"July 27. -- I have a letter from lord Sunderland, in which he lets me
see the ill consequences that must happen, if the queen cannot be pre-
vailed with in the affairs of the church. It is pretty hard to me to give
him an honest answer, since it would lay too great a weight upon the
queen. If other things go well, that will be done as they wish; but I
am rather despairing than otherwise. I have done what I can, and let
what will happen, I hope to have nothing to reproach myself with, and
then God's will be done."

From Lord Sunderland.

"Whitehall, Aug. 5-16. -- I give you many thanks for your kind
letter of the 27th of July, and assure you what I wrote to you last, con-
cerning the affair of the church, was sincerely meant for the service of
the queen, your grace, and lord treasurer. I will only say one thing
more on this occasion; that there are so many uneasy things preparing
by the common enemy against next sessions, and by the management of
the court, so little confidence between them and the only people that
either will or can support them, that I own I have terrible apprehensions
of the consequences.

"I can't help taking notice, upon this occasion, of the letter from
Hanover ^* , which you sent enclosed to the lord treasurer. That letter
does really set that matter in so true a light, that one would be astonished
at the blindness of the queen, or any about her, considering how much
they apprehend that foolish thing. But really if the queen does go on a
little longer in the way she is at present, mankind will be quite uneasy,
and will think of Sir Miles Wharton's old saying, "not to anger two
courts at once." I only mention these things, as what are sincerely my
apprehensions, but hope you and lord treasurer will be able to prevent
the mischief which seems hanging over us all.

"I am very well pleased with the resolution of the States, which you
sent to the lord treasurer, for I think it leaves it entirely in the power of
the deputies; and the march your grace has lately made shows it is so.

"I send enclosed a letter, writ by lord treasurer's direction, to Lord
Galway. I think it essentially agrees with your thoughts of that matter;
and, indeed, as Lord Rivers has ordered it, it is impossible the poor man
should venture there with any satisfaction to himself, or so as to be of
any use.

"I am very much afraid of the king of Sweden, by the accounts the
last letters give us, though one can hardly bring oneself to think he is in
measures with France."

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