find the ensign of Mindelheim supplanted by her own, in the
public and private seals afterwards used by her husband. ^*

We close our account with a description of the territory of
Mindelheim, transmitted to the duke by Dr. Heyland, who
assisted Mr. Stepney in the ceremonial of taking possession.

"The territory of Mindelheim is agreeably situated; the air is healthy,
and the soil fertile. It consists of arable, pasture, and forest, is rich in all
sorts of corn, well stocked with cattle, and abounds with deer and wild
boars. The length is six leagues, and the breadth from three to four.
It borders on the bishopric of Augsburg, on several lordships and coun-
ties of the empire, and on the imperial town of Memmingen. The clear
yearly revenue may be estimated at 15 or 20,000 German florins, though
the precise amount cannot be ascertained, on account of the uncertainty
of the crops, and the fluctuation to which the price of corn is subject.
To this may be added certain seigniorial rights, particularly tolls and
customs, which the princes of Germany levy on their people. The country
also produces a small quantity of saltpetre, which yields a trifling tax to
the sovereign.

"The natives are industrious, and would be in good circumstances had
they not been exhausted by frequent wars. The greater part are labour-
ers, or breeders of cattle; others are employed in making linen, which
manufacture would improve, if they were better provided with hands;
but for want of weavers the poorer farmers are obliged to sell their thread,
of which they spin large quantities, to foreign manufacturers. The
wood which abounds, is rendered less valuable by the want of water
conveyance."

The title of prince and admission into the diet which was
thus conferred on Marlborough gave him no additional rank
or precedence in England; but abroad it proved of essential
advantage, in increasing his influence and obviating those
jealousies to which he had been exposed in his command,
from the prejudice of foreigners in favour of high birth and
sovereign power.

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