By the Editor.

(A. p. 32.)

THE reputation of the Duke of Marlborough has suffered very con-
siderably from the duplicity associated with his name, in connexion with
the ejected Stuart, and the Prince of Orange. A hero and a double
dealer exhibit inconsistencies at which the mind recoils; yet it rests on
undeniable proofs, that the duke enacted these conflictive parts -- that he
first deported himself treacherously towards King James, and next
towards his son-in-law and successor, King William, whom he had effec-
tively assisted in ascending the English throne. But Mr. Coxe has failed to
present this portion of his subject with the force and distinctness which
its great importance demands: he has neither brought out in strong
relief those circumstances which undoubtedly extenuate the infamy of the
duke's conduct; nor, on the other hand, those which as unquestionably
increase its ignominy.

The Duke of York had been the early and steady patron both of
Marlborough and his sister Arabella; and it was natural and grateful in
him that he should cherish kindly feelings towards their benefactor. But
these feelings did not impose on Marlborough any obligation to sacrifice
his religious and political predilections to the weak and mistaken course
which King James was obviously bent on pursuing. Personally he
might feel grateful and pity the king, but he was not bound to sacrifice
both his conscientious impressions and public duties to his fatal errors.
He freely remonstrated with the misguided prince, and this proving un-
availing, and destructive to their previous confidential intercourse, Marl-
borough opened a private communication with the Prince of Orange. In
this proceeding we think he was justifiable; also in concealing this new
connexion from his former friend and master. King James was insidiously
trying his utmost to deceive both Marlborough and the English nation;
and under the guise of establishing universal toleration and other dis-
sembling pretexts, doing all he could to supplant the church of England
by the clandestine introduction of popery. In dealing with a detected
dissembler, dissimulation is allowable; and this was precisely the position

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