Produced by Chris Curnow, Jane Robins and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) +----------------------------------------------+ | Note: | | | | _ around word indicated italics _concluded_ | +----------------------------------------------+ CASSELL'S ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF ENGLAND CASSELL'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND FROM THE FALL OF MARLBOROUGH TO THE PENINSULAR WAR WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS, INCLUDING COLOURED AND REMBRANDT PLATES VOL IV _THE KING'S EDITION_ CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED LONDON, NEW YORK, TORONTO AND MELBOURNE MCMIX ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE (_concluded_). PAGE Meeting of Parliament--Eugene's Visit to England--Ministerial Attacks on the Dutch--Meeting of the Negotiators at Utrecht--The Question of the Spanish Throne--Sham Fighting against the French--Debates on the Peace in Parliament--Withdrawal of the English Troops--Consequent Triumph of the French--Bolingbroke's Visit to Paris--Break-up of the Grand Alliance--More Negotiations with the Pretender--Death of Godolphin--Marlborough retires to the Continent--Signature of the Peace--The Treaty of Commerce--Its Rejection by the Commons--The Whereabouts of the Pretender--Dissolution of Parliament--The General Election--Intrigues with St. Germains--Bolingbroke's Activity--His Friends in Office--The Empire and Spain make Peace--The Pretender declines Overtures to Change his Religion--Illness of the Queen--Tax on Newspapers--Attack upon the "Public Spirit of the Whigs"--Steele expelled the House--Proposals against the Pretender and for bringing over the Electoral Prince--Counter-scheme for bringing over the Pretender--Obstacles to the Scheme--The Queen's Letter to the Elector--Death of the Electress Sophia--The Schism Bill--Its Progress through the Houses--Reward for the Apprehension of the Pretender--Fall of Oxford--Bolingbroke's Jacobite Cabinet--Illness of the Queen--The Whig _Coup d'Ãtat_--Ruin and Desperation of the Jacobites--Death of Anne--Proclamation of George I. 1 CHAPTER II. THE REIGN OF GEORGE I. Peaceful Accession of George I.--His Arrival--Triumph of the Whigs--Dissolution and General Election--The Address--Determination to impeach the late Ministers--Flight of Bolingbroke and Ormonde--Impeachment of Oxford--The Riot Act--The Rebellion of 1715--Policy of the Regent Orleans--Surrender of the Pretender's Ships--The Adventures of Ormonde and Mar--The Highlands declare for the Pretender--Mar and Argyll--Advance of Mackintosh's Detachment--Its Surrender at Preston--Battle of Sheriffmuir--Arrival of the Pretender--Mutual Disappointment--Advance of Argyll--Flight of the Pretender to France--Punishment of the Rebels--Impeachment of the Rebel Lords--The Septennial Act--The King goes to Hanover--Impossibility of Reconstructing the Grand Alliance--Negotiations with France--Danger of Hanover from Charles XII.--And from Russia--Alarm from Townshend--Termination of the Dispute--Fresh Differences between Stanhope and Townshend--Dismissal of the Latter--The Triple Alliance--Project for the Invasion of Scotland--Detection of the Plot--Dismissal of Townshend and Walpole--They go into Opposition--Walpole's Financial Scheme--Attack on Cadogan--Trial of Oxford--Cardinal Alberoni--Outbreak of Hostilities between Austria and Spain--Occupation of Sardinia--Alberoni's Diplomacy--The Quadruple Alliance--Byng in the Mediterranean--Alberoni deserted by Savoy--Death of Charles XII.--Declaration of War with Spain--Repeal of the Schism Act--Rejection of the Peerage Bill--Attempted Invasion of Britain--Dismissal of Alberoni--Spain makes Peace--Pacification of Northern Europe--Final Rejection of the Peerage Bill--The South Sea Company--The South Sea Bill--Opposition of Walpole--Rise of South Sea Stock--Rival Companies--Death of Stanhope--Punishment of Ministry and Directors--Supremacy of Walpole--Atterbury's Plot--His Banishment and the Return of Bolingbroke--Rejection of Bolingbroke's Services--A Palace Intrigue--Fall of Carteret--Wood's Halfpence--Disturbances in Scotland--Punishment of the Lord Chancellor Macclesfield--The Patriot Party--Complications Abroad--Treaty of Vienna--Treaty of Hanover--Activity of the Jacobites--Falls of Ripperda and of Bourbon--English Preparations--Folly of the Emperor--Attack on Gibraltar--Preliminaries of Peace--Intrigues against Walpole--Death of George I. 24 CHAPTER III. THE REIGN OF GEORGE II. Accession of George II.--Characters of the King and Queen--Adroit Tactics of Walpole--Rise and Fall of Compton--Attitude of the Opposition--Congress of Soissons--Causes of Dispute with Spain--Stanhope's successful Negotiations with King Philip--Retirement of Townshend--Walpole Supreme--Peace Abroad and at Home--Walpole's System of Wholesale Bribery and Corruption--The Public Prisons--Duel between Pulteney and Lord Hervey--The Excise Scheme--Great Outcry--Withdrawal of the Bill--Walpole's Vengeance--Attack on the Septennial Act--Wyndham's Speech--Depression of the Opposition--Definitive Peace of Vienna--Gin Act--The Porteous Riots--The Prince of Wales and the Opposition--Application for an Increase of his Allowance--Birth of George III.--Death of Queen Caroline--Attempt to Reduce the Army--Disputes with Spain--"Jenkins' Ear"--Walpole's Negotiations--Secession of the Opposition--Further Difficulties with Spain--Declaration of War--Privateers and Reprisals--Vernon's Victory--Frederick invades Silesia--Assistance of England--Parliament meets--Sandys' Motion--Walpole's Defence--Disasters of Maria Theresa--She throws herself on the Magyars--Misfortunes of the English Fleets--Vernon repulsed from Carthagena--Power slips from the Hands of Walpole--His last Battles--The Chippenham Election Petition--His Fall 57 CHAPTER IV. REIGN OF GEORGE II. (_continued_). Effects of Walpole's Administration--Formation of the new Ministry--Attitude of the Malcontents--Committee of Inquiry into Walpole's Administration--Walpole's Protectors--Ministerial Measures--Prorogation of Parliament--Disasters of the French--British Diversion in the Netherlands--Opening of Parliament--The German Mercenaries--Amendment of the Gin Act--George goes to Germany--Stair and De Noailles in Franconia--Stair in a Trap--Bold Resolution of King George--The Battle of Dettingen--Resignation of Stair--Retreat of the French--Negotiations for Peace--Treaty of Worms--Pelham becomes Prime Minister--The Attacks of Pitt on Carteret--Attempted Invasion of England--Its Failure--Progress of the French Arms--Frederick II. invades Bohemia--His Retirement--Resignation of Carteret--Pelham strengthens his Ministry--Death of the Emperor--Campaign in Flanders--Battle of Fontenoy--Campaign of Frederick II.--The Young Pretender's Preparations--Loss of the _Elizabeth_--Landing in the Hebrides--The Highland Clans join him--The first Brush--Raising of the Standard--Cope's Mistake--He turns aside at Dalwhinnie--Charles makes a Dash for Edinburgh--The March to Stirling--Flight of the Dragoons--The "Canter of Coltbridge"--Edinburgh surprised by the Highlanders--Charles marching against Cope--Battle of Prestonpans--Delay in marching South--Discontent of the Highland Chiefs--The Start--Preparations in England--Apathy of the Aristocracy--Arrival of the Duke of Cumberland--Charles crosses the Border--Capture of Carlisle--The March to Derby--Resolution to retreat--"Black Friday"--The Retreat--Recapture of Carlisle--Siege of Stirling--Battle of Falkirk--Retreat to the Highlands--Cumberland's Pursuit--Gradual Collapse of the Highlanders--Battle of Culloden--Termination of the Rebellion--Cruelty of the Duke of Cumberland--Adventures of the Young Pretender--Trials and Executions--Ministerial Crisis 79 CHAPTER V. REIGN OF GEORGE II. (_concluded_). Progress of the War on the Continent--Lethargic Condition of Politics--Battle of Laufeldt--Capture of Bergen-op-Zoom--Disasters of the French on the Sea and in Italy--Negotiations for Peace--Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle--Conditions of Peace--Peace at Home--Commercial Treaty with Spain--Death of the Prince of Wales--Popular feeling against the Bill for Naturalising the Jews--Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act--Foundation of the British Museum--Death of Pelham--Newcastle's Difficulties--Failure of Robinson--Approaching Danger from America--A State of Undeclared War--The Battles of Boscawen and Braddock--George's Anxiety for Hanover--Subsidiary Treaties against Prussia--Pitt's Opposition--Debate in the House of Commons--Danger of England--French Expedition against Minorca--The Failure of Byng--Newcastle resigns--Attempts to form a Ministry--Devonshire succeeds--Weakness of the Ministry--Coalition against Prussia--Alliance with England--Commencement of the Seven Years' War--Frederick conquers Saxony--Gloominess of Affairs--Court-Martial on Byng, and his Death--Dismissal of Pitt--The Pitt and Newcastle Coalition--Failure of the Attack on Rochefort and of that on Louisburg--Convention of Closter-Seven--Frederick's Campaign; Kolin, Rossbach, and Lissa--Successes elsewhere--Wolfe and Clive--Battle of Plassey--Capture of Louisburg--Ticonderoga and Fort Duquesne--Attacks on St. Malo and Cherbourg--Victory of Crefeld--Frederick's Campaign--Commencement of 1759; Blockade of the French Coast--Pitt's Plans for the Conquest of Canada--Amherst's and Prideaux's Columns--Wolfe before Quebec--Position of the City--Wolfe fails to draw Montcalm from his Position--Apparent Hopelessness of the Expedition--Wolfe scales the Heights of Abraham--The Battle--Successes in India--Battle of QuibÃ©ron--Frederick's Fortunes--Campaign of Ferdinand of Brunswick--Battle of Minden--Glorious Termination of the Year--French Descent on Carrickfergus--Attempt of the French to Recover Quebec--Their Expulsion from North America--Frederick's Fourth Campaign--Successes of Ferdinand of Brunswick--Death of George II. 111 CHAPTER VI. PROGRESS OF THE NATION FROM THE REVOLUTION TO 1760. The Church after the Revolution--The Non-Jurors--The Act of Toleration--Comprehension Bill--Laxity of Religion--The Wesleys and Whitefield--Foundation of Methodism--Extension of the Movement--Literature--Survivors of the Stuart Period--Prose Writers: Bishop Burnet--Philosophers: Locke--Bishop Berkeley, etc.--Novelists: Fielding, Richardson, Smollett, and Sterne--Dr. Davenant--Bentley--Swift--Addison--Addison and Steele--Bolingbroke--Daniel Defoe--Lady Mary Wortley Montagu--Poets: Pope--His Prose Writings--Gay, Prior, Young, etc.--James Thomson, Allan Ramsay, Gray, and Minor Lights--Dramatists--Physical Science: Astronomers--Mathematicians--Electricians--Chemists--Medical Discoverers--Music: Purcell--Italian Music--Handel--Church Music--The Academy of Ancient Music and other Societies--Architecture--Wren and his Buildings--St. Paul's--His Churches and Palaces--Vanbrugh--Gibbs--Hawksmoor--Minor Architects--Painting and Sculpture: Lely and Kneller--Other Foreign Painters and Decorators--Thornhill--Other English Artists--Hogarth and his Works--Exhibition of British Artists--Sculptors--Shipping, Colonies, Commerce, and Manufactures--Increase of Canals--Woollen and Silk Trades--Irish Linens--Lace--Iron, Copper, and other Industries--Increase of the large Towns 141 CHAPTER VII. REIGN OF GEORGE III. Accession of George III.--His Conduct--Ascendency of Bute--Meeting of Parliament--Enthusiastic Reception of the King's Speech--Bute's Cabals--Hostility to Pitt--Ministerial Changes--Marriage of the King--Queen Charlotte--Misfortunes of Frederick--Ferdinand of Brunswick's Campaign--Defeat of the French in the East and West Indies--Negotiations for Peace--Pitt's large Demands--Obstinacy of Choiseul--The Family Compact suspected--Resignation of Pitt--Bute's Ministry--War with Spain--Abandonment of Frederick--Policy of the new Czar--Resignation of Newcastle--Bute at the Head of the Treasury--Successes in the West Indies--Capture of Manila--Bute's Eagerness for Peace--The Terms--Bute's Unpopularity--Close of the Seven Years' War--Successes of Clive--Defeat of the Dutch in India--Final Overthrow of the French in India--Fate of the Count de Lally--Bute and the Princess of Wales--The Cider Tax--Bute's Vengeance--His Resignation--George Grenville in Office--No. 45 of the _North Briton_--Arrest of Wilkes--His Acquittal--Vengeance against him--The King negotiates with Pitt--Wilkes's Affairs in Parliament--The Wilkes Riots--The Question of Privilege--The Illegality of General Warrants declared--Wilkes expelled the House--Debates on General Warrants--Rejoicing in the City of London 168 CHAPTER VIII. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). The American Colonies and their Trade--Growing Irritation in America--The Stamp Act--The American Protest--The Stamp Act passed--Its Reception in America--The King's Illness--The Regency Bill--The Princess Dowager omitted--Her Name inserted in the Commons--Negotiations for a Change of Ministry--The old Ministry returns--Fresh Negotiations with Pitt--The first Rockingham Ministry--Riots in America--The Stamped Paper destroyed--Pitt's Speech--The Stamp Act repealed--Weakness of the Government--Pitt and Temple disagree--Pitt forms a Ministry--And becomes Lord Chatham--His Comprehensive Policy--The Embargo on Wheat--Illness of Chatham--Townshend's Financial Schemes--Corruption of Parliament--Wilkes elected for Middlesex--Arrest of Wilkes--Dangerous Riots--Dissolution of the Boston Assembly--Seizure of the _Liberty_ Sloop--Debates in Parliament--Continued Persecution of Wilkes--His Letter to Lord Weymouth--Again expelled the House--His Re-election--The Letters of Junius--Luttrell declared elected for Middlesex--Incapacity of the Ministry--Partial Concessions to the Americans--Bernard leaves Boston--He is made a Baronet--"The Horned Cattle Session"--Lord Chatham attacks the Ministry--Resignations of Granby and Camden--Yorke's Suicide--Dissolution of the Ministry 183 CHAPTER IX. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Lord North--He forms a Ministry--Chatham declaims against Secret Influence--Grenville's Election Committee--Lord North's Conciliatory Measures--Determination of the Bostonians--The Boston Massacre--Trial of the Soldiers--Apparent Success of North's Measures--Affair of the Falkland Islands--Promptitude of the Ministry--The Quarrel composed--Trials of Woodfall and Almon--The Right of Parliamentary Reporting--Strengthening of the Ministry--Quarrels in the City--The Royal Marriage Act--Fate of the Queen of Denmark--Anarchical Condition of Poland--Interference of Russia--Deposition of Poniatowski--Frederick's Scheme of Partition--It is ratified--Inquiry into Indian Affairs--Lord North's Tea Bill--Lord Dartmouth and Hutchinson--The Hutchinson Letters--Dishonourable Conduct of Franklin--Establishment of Corresponding Committees--Burning of the _Gaspee_--Destruction of the Tea--Franklin avows the Publication of the Letters--Wedderburn's Speech--The Boston Port Bill--The Massachusetts Government Bill--The Coils of Coercion--Virginia joins Massachusetts--Gage dissolves the Boston Assembly--He fortifies Boston Neck--The General Congress--A Declaration of Rights--The Assembly at Concord--They enrol Militia--Seizure of Ammunition and Arms--Meeting of Parliament--Chatham's conciliatory Speech--His Bill for the Pacification of the Colonies--Its Fate--Lord North's Proposal--Burke's Resolutions--Prorogation of Parliament--Beginning of the War 199 CHAPTER X. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Gage attempts to seize American Arms--Skirmish at Lexington--Blockade of Boston--The Second Congress at Philadelphia--Washington chosen Commander-in-Chief--Fall of Ticonderoga and Crown Point--Washington at Boston--Battle of Bunker's Hill--The Olive Branch Petition--Condition of the American Army--Expedition against Canada--Capture of Montreal--Arnold's Expedition--His Junction with Montgomery--Failure of the Attack on Quebec--The Employment of German Mercenaries--Washington seizes Dorchester Heights--Evacuation of Boston--Howe retires to Halifax--The War in Canada--Thomas's Retreat--Sullivan evacuates Canada--The War in the South--Attack on Charleston--Paine's Pamphlet, "Common Sense"--New York and Virginia decide for Independence--Debate in Congress--Report of the Committee--Arbitrary Proceedings--The Declaration--Overtures to France--Arrival of Lord Howe--Position of Washington--Howe's Overtures--Battle of Brooklyn--Washington's Retreat--His Desperate Position--Howe receives a Deputation from Congress--Washington retires Step by Step--Cornwallis's Pursuit--Close of the Campaign--The Articles of Confederation published by Congress--Fresh Overtures to France--Parliament votes large Sums of Money--John the Painter--Chatham demands a Cessation of Hostilities--Washington's Change of Tactics--Surprise of Trenton--Washington outmanÅuvres Cornwallis--He recovers New Jersey--Difficulties of Congress--Howe advances against Washington--Alteration of Howe's Plans--Battle of the Brandywine--Howe crosses the Schuylkill--Cornwallis enters Philadelphia--Battle of Germantown--Washington at Valley Forge--Burgoyne's Plan of Campaign--His Advance--St. Clair's Defeat--Burgoyne on the Hudson--The Beginning of his Misfortunes--Battle of Bemus's Heights--Burgoyne's Message to Clinton--He is surrounded--He attempts to cut his Way through--The Surrender of Saratoga--Clinton's Failure to relieve Burgoyne--Close of the Campaign 217 CHAPTER XI. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Meeting of Parliament--Lord Chatham's Amendment to the Address--The News of Saratoga--Treaty between France and America--Washington in Valley Forge--Intrigues against him--Violation of Burgoyne's Convention--Debates in Parliament--Attempt to bring Chatham into the Ministry--Lord North's Conciliation Bills--The French Note--Patriotism of the Nation--The King refuses to send for Chatham--His last Speech and Death--Honours to his Memory--Burke's Measure of Irish Relief--Repeal of Laws against Roman Catholics--Explosion of Scottish Bigotry--Turgot's Warnings--Naval Engagement off Ushant--Failure of Lafayette's Canadian Expedition--Clinton compelled to evacuate Philadelphia--Failure of Lord North's Commissioners--D'Estaing and Sullivan attempt to take Rhode Island--Subsequent Proceedings of D'Estaing--Courts martial of Keppel and Palliser--The Irish Volunteers--Spain declares War--Military Preparations--Junction of the French and Spanish Fleets--They retire from the Channel--D'Estaing in the West Indies--His Attempt on Savannah--Weakness of Lord North's Ministry--Meeting of Parliament--Lord North's Irish Bill--Richmond, Shelburne, and Burke attempt Economic Reforms--The Meeting at York petitions for Reform of Parliament--Burke's Economic Scheme--North's ManÅuvre--Further Attempts at Reform--The Westminster Meeting--Dunning's Motion--Defeat of his later Resolutions--"No Popery" in Scotland--Lord George Gordon's Agitation--The Riots and their Progress--Their Suppression--Trial of the Prisoners--Rodney relieves Gibraltar--Destruction of English Merchantmen--Disputes with Holland--The Armed Neutrality of the North--Capture of Charleston--Declaration of South Carolina--Battle of Camden--Expedition into North Carolina--Arrival of the French Squadron--Rodney in the West Indies--Arnold's Treachery--Trial and Death of AndrÃ©--Breach with Holland--Attacks on Jersey and Gibraltar--Mutiny in the Army of Washington--Arnold's Raids in Virginia--Cornwallis in North Canada--His Engagements with Greene--His March into Virginia--Rawdon and Greene--Battle of Eutaw Springs--Siege of York Town--The American Armies close round him--Cornwallis compelled to Surrender 246 CHAPTER XII. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Rodney takes St. Eustatia--Destruction of Dutch Commerce--Loss of Minorca--Naval Actions--Meeting of Parliament--Vehemence of the Opposition--Losses in the West Indies--Breaking up of the Ministry--Their Defeat on Conway's Motion--Lord North's Resignation--Shelburne refuses the Premiership--New Whig Government--Agitation in Ireland--Grattan's Motion for Legislative Independence--The Volunteer Meeting at Dungannon--Grattan's Motion carried--Demands of the Irish Parliament conceded--Flood's Agitation--Economic Reforms--Pitt's Motion for Parliamentary Reform--Unsuccessful Negotiations for Peace--Rodney's Victory over De Grasse--Lord Howe's Exploits--The Siege and Relief of Gibraltar--Negotiations for Peace--Folly of Oswald and Duplicity of Shelburne--The Negotiations continued--Franklin throws over Vergennes--Conclusion of a Secret Treaty between England and America--Fate of the American Royalists--Announcement of the Peace in Parliament--Terms of Peace with France, Spain, and Holland--Opposition to the Peace--Coalition of Fox and North--Fall of Shelburne--Pitt's Attempt to form a Ministry--The Coalition in Office--Reform and the Prince of Wales--Fox's India Bill--Its Introduction--Progress of the Measure--The King's Letter to Temple--Reception of the News in the Commons--Dismissal of the Ministry--Pitt forms a Cabinet--Factious Opposition of Fox--Pitt's India Bill--He refuses to divulge his Intentions--The Tide begins to Turn--Attempt at a Coalition--Increasing Popularity of Pitt--Fox's Resolution--The Dissolution--"Fox's Martyrs" 284 CHAPTER XIII. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Victory of Pitt--The King's delight--Pitt's Finance--The India Bill--Pitt's Budget--The Westminster Election--The Scrutiny--Fox is returned--The Volunteers in Ireland--Flood's Reform Bill--Riots in Ireland--Pitt's Commercial Policy for Ireland--Opposition of the English Merchants--Abandonment of the Measure--Pitt's Reform Bill--His Administrative Reforms--Bill for fortifying Portsmouth and Plymouth--Pitt's Sinking Fund--Favourable Reception of the Bill--Pitt's Excise Bill--Commercial Treaty with France--Impeachment of Warren Hastings--Retrospect of Indian Affairs: Deposition of Meer Jaffier--Resistance of Meer Cossim--Massacre of Patna--Battle of Buxar and Capture of Allahabad--Clive's Return to India--Settlement of Bengal and Oude--Domestic Reforms--Rise of Hyder Ali--His Treaty with the English--He is defeated by the Mahrattas--Deposition of the Rajah of Tanjore--Failure of Lord Pigot to reinstate him--Lord North's Regulating Bill--Death of Clive--Warren Hastings becomes Governor-General--His dealings with the Famine--Treatment of Reza Khan and the Nabob of Bengal--Resumption of Allahabad and Corah--Massacre of the Rohillas--Arrival of the New Members of Council--Struggle for Supremacy--Robbery of Cheyte Sing--Nuncomar's Charges--His Trial and Execution--Hastings' Constitutional Resignation--His Final Victory--Wars against the Mahrattas--Hyder Ali's Advance--Defeat of Baillie--Energy of Hastings--Victories of Sir Eyre Coote--Capture of Dutch Settlements--Naval Engagements between the British and French--Death of Hyder Ali--Tippoo continues the War--He invokes Peace--Hastings' Extortions from Cheyte Sing--Hastings' visit to Benares--Rising of the People--Rescue of Hastings and Deposition of Cheyte Sing--Extortion from the Begums of Oude--Parliamentary Inquiries--Hastings' Reception in England--Burke's Motion of Impeachment--Pitt's Change of Front--The Prince of Wales and the Whigs--Inquiry into his Debts--Alderman Newnham's Motion--Denial of the Marriage with Mrs. Fitzherbert--Sheridan's Begum Speech--Impeachment of Hastings--Growth of the Opposition to the Slave Trade--The Question brought before Parliament--Evidence produced--Sir W. Dolben's Bill--Trial of Warren Hastings--Speeches of Burke, Fox, and Sheridan--Illness of the King--Debates on the Regency Bill--The King's Recovery--Address of the Irish Parliament to the Prince of Wales 307 CHAPTER XIV. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Unsettled Condition of Europe--Machinations of Russia and Austria against Turkey--Disasters of the Austrians--Capture of Oczakoff--Further Designs of Catherine--Intervention of Pitt--Gustavus of Sweden invades Russia--His temporary Check--He remodels the Diet and pursues the War--Joseph renews the War--Disaffection in Hungary--Revolution in the Austrian Netherlands--Abolition of the _Joyeuse EntrÃ©e_--The Emperor declared to have forfeited the Crown--The Austrian Troops retired to Luxembourg--Death of Joseph--Outbreak of the French Revolution--Efforts of Turgot and his Successors to introduce Reforms--LomÃ©nie de Brienne--Recall of Necker--Assembly of the States General--The Third Estate becomes the National Assembly--The Meeting in the Tennis Court--Contemplated _Coup d'Ãtat_--Project of a City Guard--Dismissal of Necker--Insurrection in Paris--The City Guard--Capture of the Bastille--The Noblesse renounce their Privileges--Bankruptcy and Famine--"_O Richard, O Mon Roi!_"--The Women and the National Guard march on Versailles--The King brought to Paris--Effect of the Revolution in England--Different Views of Burke and Fox--Rejection of Flood's Reform Bill--The Nootka Sound Affair--Satisfaction obtained from Spain--Motions of Reform in the Irish Parliament--Convention of Reichenbach--Continuance of the War between Sweden and Russia--Renewal of the War with Tippoo Sahib--Debates in Parliament--Discussions on the Eastern Question--The Canada Bill--It is made the occasion of Speeches on the French Revolution--Breach between Fox and Burke--Abuse of Burke by the Whigs--Wilberforce's Notice for immediate Emancipation--Colonisation of Sierra Leone--Bill for the Relief of Roman Catholics--Fox's Libel Bill--Burke's "Reflections on the French Revolution"--Replies of Mackintosh and Paine--Dr. Price--Dr. Priestley--The Anniversary of the taking of the Bastille--The Birmingham Riots--Destruction of Priestley's Library--Suppression of the Riots--Mildness of the Sentences 349 CHAPTER XV. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Progress of the French Revolution--Death of Mirabeau--Attempted Flight of the King from Paris--Attitude of the Sovereigns of Europe--The Parties of the Right and of the Left--The Girondists--Decrees against the Emigrants--Negotiations between Marie Antoinette and Pitt--Condition of the French Army--Session of 1792; Debates on Foreign Affairs--Marriage of the Duke of York--The Prince of Wales's Allowance--The Budget--The Anti-Slavery Movement--Magistracy Bill--Attempts at Reform--The Society of the Friends of the People--Proclamation against Seditious Writings--Fox's Nonconformist Relief Bill--Prorogation of Parliament--Associations and Counter-Associations--Lord Cornwallis's War against Tippoo Sahib--Capture of Seringapatam--Peace with Tippoo--Embassy to China--Designs of the Powers against Poland--Catherine resolves to strike--Invasion of Poland--Neutrality of England--Conquest of Poland--Imminence of War between France and Austria--It is declared--Failure of the French Troops--The Duke of Brunswick's Proclamation--Insurrection of the 10th of August--Massacre of the Swiss--Suspension of the King--Ascendency of Jacobinism--Dumouriez in the Passes of the Argonne--Battle of Valmy--Retreat of the Prussians--Occupation of the Netherlands by the French Troops--Custine in Germany--Occupation of Nice and Savoy--Edict of Fraternity--Abolition of Royalty--Trial and Death of the King--Effect of the Deed on the Continent--The Militia called out in England--Debates in Parliament on War with France--The Alien Bill--Rupture of Diplomatic Relations with France--War declared against Britain--Efforts to preserve the Peace--They are Ineffectual 386 CHAPTER XVI. THE REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Invasion of Holland by Dumouriez--He is defeated at Neerwinden and goes over to the Enemy--Second Partition of Poland--The Campaign in the Netherlands--And on the Rhine--The English Fleets in the Channel and West Indies--Siege of Toulon--First appearance of Napoleon Buonaparte--Fall of Lyons--The Reign of Terror--Insurrection in La VendÃ©e--Its brutal Suppression--Worship of the Goddess of Reason--Opposition to the War in England--Prosecutions for Sedition--Trials in Scotland--Discussions on the subject in Parliament--Arrests of Horne Tooke, Thelwall, Hardy, and others--Battle of the First of June--The War in the West Indies--Annexation of Corsica--The Campaign of 1794--The Prussian Subsidy--Successes of Pichegru against the Austrians--The Struggle for the Sambre--Loss of Belgium--Danger of Holland--The War in the South--The Reign of Terror continues--The Festival of the Supreme Being--Death of Robespierre and his Associates--The Thermidorians--Final extinction of Poland--The Portland Whigs join the Ministry--Trials of Hardy, Horne Tooke, and their Associates--Opening of Parliament--The Budget--Attempts at Reform--Marriage of the Prince of Wales--His Allowance--The French occupy Holland--It becomes a Republic--Prussia and Spain leave the Coalition, but the War continues--Campaigns on the Rhine and in Italy--The War in La VendÃ©e and in Brittany--The Expedition from England planned--Destruction of the Expedition at QuibÃ©ron--Extinction of the War in La VendÃ©e--Establishment of the Directory--Attack on George the Third--The Budget--Pitt's first Negotiations for Peace--Failure of Lord Malmesbury's Mission--Successes in the West Indies and Africa--Expedition to Bantry Bay--The Campaign of 1796--Retreat of the French--Napoleon's Italian Campaign--The Battles of Arcole--A new British Loan--Suspension of Cash Payments--Grievances of the Seamen--Mutiny at Portsmouth--Its Pacification--Mutiny at the Nore--Descent on the Welsh Coast--Campaign of 1797--Preliminaries of Leoben--Treaty of Campo Formio--Lord Malmesbury's Mission to Lille 418 CHAPTER XVII. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Sympathy in Ireland for the French Revolution--Intrigues with the French--Attitude of the Roman Catholics--Failure of Fitzwilliam's Efforts at Reform--Open Rebellion begins--The Mission of Fitzgerald and O'Connor to France--Disclosure of the Conspiracy--Arrest of Fitzgerald and his Confederates--Outbreak of the Rebellion--Battle of Vinegar Hill--Arrival of Humbert's Expedition--Its brief Success and Surrender--Suicide of Wolfe Tone--Desire of France to invade England--Napoleon advises the Expedition to Egypt--He gives Nelson the slip--His gigantic Projects--Surrender of Malta--Nelson's Pursuit--Napoleon's Campaign--Battle of the Pyramids--Surrender of Cairo--Battle of the Nile (or Aboukir Bay)--Pitt's second Coalition--The Income Tax--Projected Union of Great Britain and Ireland--Proclamation of the Parthenopean Republic--Italy regained by the Coalition--Suppression of the Revolution in Naples--The Allies in Holland--Napoleon's March into Syria--His Defeat at Acre--Battle of Aboukir--Napoleon returns to France--_Coup d'Ãtat_ of the 18th Brumaire--Death of Tippoo Sahib--Napoleon's Letter to the King--The Union with Ireland--Means by which it was carried--Its Reception in England--Napoleon crosses the Alps--Battle of Marengo--The French recover Lombardy--Battle of Hohenlinden--Treaty of LunÃ©ville--Corn Riots--Breach with Russia--Pitt's Resignation--The King's Illness--The Addington Ministry--Revival of the Armed Neutrality--Battle of Copenhagen--Peace between Britain and the Northern Powers--The Expedition to Egypt--Battle of Alexandria--Evacuation of Egypt by the French--Negotiations for Peace--Treaty of Amiens 460 CHAPTER XVIII. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Napoleon's Plans of Conquest--Sebastiani's Report--Napoleon's Complaints against the British Press--Espionage and Confiscation--He continues his Continental Aggressions--Napoleon's Interview with Lord Whitworth--Imminence of War--Negotiations for Pitt's Return to Office--War Declared--Napoleon arrests British Subjects in France--Seizure of Hanover--Emmett's Rebellion--Naval Attacks on the French Coast--The Mahratta War--Battle of Assaye--Successes of General Lake--Battle of Laswaree--Battle of Argaum--Conclusion of the War--Renewed Illness of George III.--Increasing Opposition of Pitt--He offers to undertake the Government--He forms a Tory Ministry--Wilberforce's Abolition Motion--The Additional Force Bill--Scheme for blowing up the French Fleet--War with Spain--The Georges Conspiracy--Murder of the Duke D'Enghien--Napoleon becomes Emperor--His Letter to the British King--The Condition of Europe--Lord Mulgrave's Reply to the Letter--Ministerial Changes--Weakness of the Ministry--Attack on Lord Melville--Whitbread's Motion--Melville's Defence--His Impeachment voted--Secession of Lord Sidmouth--The European Coalition--Hastened by Napoleon's Aggressions--Rashness of Austria--Invasion of Bavaria--Napoleon marches on the Rhine--Capitulation of the Austrian Army at Ulm--Occupation of Vienna--Battle of Austerlitz--Treaties of SchÃ¶nbrunn and Pressburg--The Baltic Expedition--Expedition to Naples--Naval Affairs--Nelson's Pursuit of Villeneuve--Calder's Engagement--Battle of Trafalgar--Death of Nelson--Continuation of the Mahratta War--Lord Lake's Engagements with Holkar--Siege of Bhurtpore--Defeat of Meer Khan--The Rajah of Bhurtpore makes Peace--Treaties with Scindiah and Holkar--Death of Pitt--Payment of his Debts by the Nation 485 CHAPTER XIX. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). The Ministry of "All the Talents"--Fox informs Napoleon of a supposed Scheme for his Assassination--Futile Negotiations for Peace--Windham's Army Bills--Resolutions against the Slave Trade passed--Inquiry into the Conduct of the Princess of Wales--British Expeditions: Stuart in Calabria--Battle of Maida--Continued Resistance of the Neapolitans--Recapture of the Cape of Good Hope--Expedition to Buenos Ayres--Naval Successes: Victories of Duckworth, Warren, and Hood--Cochrane's Daredevilry--Napoleon's subject Kingdoms--Prussia makes Complaints--Napoleon prepares for War--Murder of Palm--Isolation of Prussia--Imbecility of their Plan of Campaign--Battle of Jena--Napoleon in Berlin--He seizes Brunswick--Complete Subjugation of Germany--Settlement of Germany--The Berlin Decrees--Napoleon rouses the Poles--Campaign against Benningsen--Death of Fox--Ministerial Changes--Votes in Supply--An Administrative Scandal--Abolition of the Slave Trade--Measures of Roman Catholic Relief--Dismissal of the Grenville Ministry--The Duke of Portland's Cabinet--Hostile Motions in Parliament--The General Election--Irish Coercion Bills--Failure of the Expeditions planned by the late Ministry: Buenos Ayres--The Expedition to the Dardanelles--Expedition to Alexandria--Attack on Rosetta--Withdrawal of the Expedition--War between Russia and Turkey--Secret Articles of the Treaty of Tilsit--Bombardment of Copenhagen and Capture of the Danish Fleet--Seizure of Heligoland--The Campaign in Europe--Battle of Eylau--Benningsen's Retreat--Napoleon on the Vistula--Fall of Dantzic--Battle of Friedland--Alexander resolves to make Peace--The Meeting on the Niemen--Treaty of Tilsit. 516 CHAPTER XX. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Napoleon's Designs on Spain--The Continental System--Treaty of Fontainebleau--Junot marches on Portugal--Flight of the Royal Family--The Milan Decree--The Pope imprisoned in the Quirinal--Imbecility of the Spanish Government--Quarrels of the Spanish Royal Family--Occupation of the Spanish Fortresses--The King's Preparations for Flight--Rests at Madrid--Abdication of Charles IV.--Murat occupies Madrid--The Meeting at Bayonne--Joseph becomes King of Spain--Insurrection in Spain--The Junta communicates with England--Ferocity of the War--Operations of BessiÃ¨res, Duchesne, and Moncey--Dupont surrenders to Castanos--Joseph evacuates Madrid--Siege of Saragossa--Napoleon's Designs on Portugal--Insurrection throughout the Country--Sir A. Wellesley touches at Corunna--He lands at Figueras--Battle of RoliÃ§a--Wellesley is superseded by Burrard--Battle of Vimiera--Arrival of Dalrymple--Convention of Cintra--Inquiry into the Convention--Occupation of Lisbon--Napoleon's preparations against Spain--Wellington is passed over in Favour of Moore--Moore's Advance--Difficulties of the March--Incompetency of Hookham Frere--Napoleon's Position in Europe--The Meeting at Erfurth--Napoleon at Vittoria--Destruction of the Spanish Armies--Napoleon enters Madrid--Moore is at last undeceived--The Retreat--Napoleon leaves Spain--Moore retires before Soult--Arrival at Corunna--The Battle--Death of Sir John Moore--The Ministry determine to continue the War--Scandal of the Duke of York--His Resignation--Charges against Lord Castlereagh--Wellesley arrives in Portugal--He drives Soult from Portugal into Spain--His Junction with Cuesta--Position of the French Armies--Folly of Cuesta--Battle of Talavera--State of the Commissariat--Wellesley's Retreat--French Victories--The Lines of Torres Vedras--The Walcheren Expedition--Flushing taken--The Troops die from Malaria--Disastrous Termination of the Expedition--Sir John Stuart in Italy and the Ionian Islands--War between Russia and Turkey--Collingwood's last Exploits--Attempt of Gambier and Cochrane on La Rochelle. 546 CHAPTER XXI. REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_). Austria gets ready for War--Napoleon's Preparations--Invasion of Bavaria by Austria--The Archduke Charles driven from Bavaria--Occupation of Vienna--Battle of Aspern--The Spirit of Revolt in Germany: Schill and Brunswick--Battle of Wagram--Peace of Vienna--Victories of the Tyrolese--Death of Hofer--The Betrayal of Poland and Italy--Deposition of the Pope--Ministerial Dissensions--Death of Portland, and Reconstruction of the Ministry--Inquiry into the Walcheren Expedition--Imprisonment of Gale Jones--Burdett committed to the Tower--The Piccadilly Riots--Arrest of Burdett--Debates in the House of Commons--Agitation for Parliamentary Reform--Liberation of Burdett--Remaining Events of the Session--Condition of Spain--Soult's victorious Progress--He fails at Cadiz--The Guerilla War--Massena sent against Wellington--Capture of Ciudad Rodrigo--Capitulation of Almeida--Battle of Busaco--The Lines of Torres Vedras--Massena baffled--Condition of the rival Armies--Victories in the East and West Indies--The War in Sicily. 586 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE St. James's Palace, in the Time of Anne 1 Dean Swift 5 The English Plenipotentiaries insulted in the Streets of Utrecht 9 Sir Richard Steele 13 Welfen Castle, Hanover 17 Anne making the Duke of Shrewsbury Lord Treasurer 21 Great Seal of George I. 25 The Earl of Mar raising the Pretender's Standard 29 Retreat of the Highlanders from Perth 33 James Edward Stuart, the "Old Pretender" 37 Sea Fight off Cape Passaro 41 The South Sea Bubble 45 George I. 49 Bartholomew Fair, London, in 1721 53 Five-Shilling Piece of the South Sea Company 56 Five-Guinea Piece of George II. 56 Walpole's Quarrel with Townshend 61 Sir Robert Walpole 65 The Porteous Mob 69 Great Seal of George II. 73 Maria Theresa and the Hungarian Parliament 77 George II. 85 Interior of the House of Commons in 1742 89 The Landing of Prince Charlie 93 Prince Charles Edward Stuart (the "Young Pretender") 97 Prince Charlie's Vanguard at Manchester 101 Culloden House 105 The Standard of Prince Charlie's Bodyguard, taken at Culloden 108 The End of the '45 109 Flora Macdonald 113 Wedding in the Fleet 117 Defeat of General Braddock in the Indian Ambush 121 London Bridge in 1760 125 Lord Clive 129 Surprise of Frederick at Hochkirch 132 Admiral Rodney bombarding Le HÃ¢vre 133 Death of Wolfe 137 Martello Tower on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec 140 George Whitefield preaching 141 John Wesley 144 Interior of the Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster Abbey 145 Henry Fielding 149 Costumes of the Period of George II. 153 Mrs. Arabella Hunt singing to Queen Mary 156 Handel 157 St. Paul's Cathedral, London, and Ludgate Hill, as it was 161 William Hogarth 165 Great Seal of George III. 169 George III. 173 Temple Bar in 1800 176 Lord Bute and the Londoners 177 John Wilkes 181 Revenue Cutters capturing an American Smuggling Vessel 185 Troops escorting the Stamped Paper to the City Hall, New York 189 The Mob releasing Mr. Wilkes on his Way to Prison 193 William Pitt, Earl of Chatham 197 Affray at Boston between the Soldiers and Rope-Makers 201 Spade Guinea of George III. 204 Five-Shilling Piece of George III. 204 Twopenny Piece of George III. 204 Press-Gang at Work 205 Boston "Boys" disguised as Indians throwing the Tea Chests into the Harbour 209 Benjamin Franklin 213 American Twenty Dollars Bill (1775) 216 Montgomery's Assault on the Lower Town, Quebec 221 Signatures to the Declaration of Independence 225 Washington crossing the Delaware 229 American Bill of Credit (1775) 233 Washington and his Men at Valley Forge 237 George Washington 241 Surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga 245 Washington at Valley Forge: By the Camp Fire 249 Death of the Earl of Chatham 253 The Saucy "Arethusa" and the "Belle Poule" 257 Lord North 261 "No Popery" Rioters assaulting Lord Mansfield 265 Dr. Johnson viewing the Scene of some of the "No Popery" Riots 269 Old Newgate 273 Arrest of Major AndrÃ© 277 Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, York Town 281 Edmund Burke 285 Henry Grattan 289 The Attack on the "Ville de Paris" 293 Map of the United States at the Time when they gained their Independence 297 The Mansion House, London, in 1760 301 Charles James Fox 305 General Election of 1784: Master Billy's Procession to Grocer's Hall--Pitt presented with the Freedom of the City of London 308 General Election of 1784: The Hustings, Covent Garden; The Westminster Deserter drummed out of the Regiment--Defeat of Sir Cecil Wray 309 View of London from the Tower to London Bridge in the latter Part of the 18th Century 313 Deposition of Meer Jaffier 317 The Great Mogul entering the English Camp 320 Warren Hastings 321 Benares 325 Surrender of Baillie to Hyder Ali 329 Arrest of the Rajah of Benares 333 Richard Brinsley Sheridan 337 The Trial of Warren Hastings 341 Carlton House, London (1780) 345 William Pitt 348 Expulsion of the Professors from the University of Antwerp 353 Notre Dame, Paris 357 The French Revolution: Costume of Lady of the Period 360 The French Revolution: Costume of 1790 360 The French Revolution: Costume "Ã la Robespierre" 361 Tricoteuse, or knitting Woman, of the National Convention 361 The Conquerors of the Bastille 365 The Bastille 369 Captain Cook 373 Scene in the House of Commons: Breach between Burke and Fox 377 William Wilberforce 381 The Priestley Riots at Birmingham 385 The Count de Mirabeau 389 Government House, Calcutta 393 View in Old Paris: Rue de Pirouette, North Side of Les Halles 397 The Royal Family of France on their Way to the Assembly 401 Marie Antoinette (1783) 405 View in Old Paris: The Porte au BlÃ©, from the End of the Old Cattle Market to the Pont Notre Dame 409 Trial of Louis XVI. 413 Robespierre 417 View in the Old Town, Warsaw 420 Retreat of the Royalists from Toulon 421 Napoleon Buonaparte, Lieutenant of Artillery 425 The Tolbooth, Edinburgh 429 Calvi, Corsica 432 St. Just 433 Paris under the Reign of Terror: a Vain Appeal 437 The Palace of the Tuileries, Paris 441 La Roche-Jaquelein and the Republican Soldiers 445 Attack on the Royal Carriage 449 The Cathedral of Milan 453 The Mutiny at Spithead: Hauling down the Red Flag on the "Royal George" 457 The Doge's Palace, Venice 459 Dublin Castle 461 Capture of Wolfe Tone 465 Lord Nelson 469 Napoleon's Coup de Main: Scene in the Hall of the Ancients 473 Genoa 477 Nelson at the Battle of Copenhagen 480 Copenhagen 481 Sir Ralph Abercromby 484 Napoleon and his Suite at Boulogne 489 The Jumma Musjid, Delhi 492 The Chase at Argaum 493 Kidnapping of the Duke d'Enghien 497 The Coronation of Napoleon in Notre Dame 501 Herrenhausen Castle, Hanover 505 Lord Collingwood 509 Sailing into Action at Trafalgar 512 The "Victory" at Portsmouth 513 Talleyrand 517 The Queen of Prussia reviewing the Army 525 Napoleon at Rossbach 528 Murat (King of Naples) 529 Charing Cross, London, in 1795 533 The British Fleet passing through the Dardanelles 537 Departure of the British Troops from Alexandria 540 Heligoland 541 The Treaty of Tilsit 545 Flight of the Royal Family of Portugal 548 Capture of Godoy 552 Heroism of the Maid of Saragossa 557 Sir John Moore 561 The Royal Palace, Madrid 564 Burial of Sir John Moore 569 Sir David Baird 573 Map of Spain and Portugal to illustrate the Peninsular War 576 The Bayonet Charge at Talavera 577 The Duke of Wellington 581 The "Mediator" breaking the Boom at La Rochelle 585 Marshal Lannes at Ratisbon 588 The Duke of Brunswick and his Hussars (the Black Brunswickers) 592 Andrew Hofer appointed Governor of the Tyrol 593 George Canning 597 Cadiz 600 Arrest of Sir Francis Burdett 601 Wellington's Retreat from Coimbra 605 LIST OF PLATES. PRINCE CHARLIE'S FAREWELL TO FLORA MACDONALD, 1746. (_By George W. Joy_) _Frontispiece_ GREENWICH HOSPITAL. (_By T. B. Hardy_) _To face p._ 65 GEORGE II. AT DETTINGEN, 1743. (_By Robert Hillingford_) " 82 "GOD SAVE KING JAMES." (_By Andrew C. Gow, R.A._) " 94 MAP OF ENGLAND DURING THE CIVIL WAR, 1642-1649 " 100 AFTER CULLODEN: REBEL HUNTING. (_By Seymour Lucas, R.A._) " 107 DR. JOHNSON IN THE ANTE-ROOM OF LORD CHESTERFIELD, WAITING FOR AN AUDIENCE, 1748. (_By E. M. Ward, R.A._) " 145 MAP OF THE AMERICAN PROVINCES IN 1763 " 184 "THE POLLING." (_By W. Hogarth_) " 192 THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, JULY 4TH, 1776. (_By J. Trumbull_) " 226 GIBRALTAR. (_By Birket Foster, R.W.S._) " 257 THE GORDON RIOTS. (_By Seymour Lucas, R.A._) " 266 THE DEFENCE OF GIBRALTAR BY LORD HEATHFIELD, 1782. (_By J. S. Copley, R.A._) " 294 LOUIS XVI. AND MARIE ANTOINETTE IN THE PRISON OF THE TEMPLE. (_By E. M. Ward, R.A._) " 404 LADY HAMILTON WELCOMING THE VICTORS OF THE NILE. (_By R. Hillingford_) " 468 NELSON'S CHASE AFTER THE FRENCH FLEET, 1805. (_By Thomas Davidson_) " 497 THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR AND THE VICTORY OF LORD NELSON OVER THE COMBINED FRENCH AND SPANISH FLEETS, OCTOBER 21ST, 1805. (_By Clarkson Stanfield, R.A._) " 505 THE "VICTORY" TOWED INTO GIBRALTAR AFTER TRAFALGAR. (_By Clarkson Stanfield, R.A._) " 510 THE DEATH OF NELSON. (_By Daniel Maclise, R.A._) " 521 "CRIPPLED BUT UNCONQUERED." (_By W. L. Wyllie, R.A._) " 529 NAPLES, FROM THE MERGELLINA. (_By Birket Foster, R.W.S._) " 550 [Illustration: PRINCE CHARLIE'S FAREWELL TO FLORA MACDONALD, 1746 FROM THE PAINTING BY GEORGE W. JOY.] [Illustration: ST. JAMES'S PALACE, IN THE TIME OF ANNE.] CASSELL'S ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF ENGLAND CHAPTER I. THE REIGN OF ANNE (_concluded_). Meeting of Parliament--Eugene's Visit to England--Ministerial Attacks on the Dutch--Meeting of the Negotiators at Utrecht--The Question of the Spanish Throne--Sham Fighting against the French--Debates on the Peace in Parliament--Withdrawal of the English Troops--Consequent Triumph of the French--Bolingbroke's Visit to Paris--Break-up of the Grand Alliance--More Negotiations with the Pretender--Death of Godolphin--Marlborough retires to the Continent--Signature of the Peace--The Treaty of Commerce--Its Rejection by the Commons--The Whereabouts of the Pretender--Dissolution of Parliament--The General Election--Intrigues with St. Germains--Bolingbroke's Activity--His Friends in Office--The Empire and Spain make Peace--The Pretender declines Overtures to Change his Religion--Illness of the Queen--Tax on Newspapers--Attack upon the "Public Spirit of the Whigs"--Steele expelled the House--Proposals against the Pretender and for bringing over the Electoral Prince--Counter-scheme for bringing over the Pretender--Obstacles to the Scheme--The Queen's Letter to the Elector--Death of the Electress Sophia--The Schism Bill--Its Progress through the Houses--Reward for the Apprehension of the Pretender--Fall of Oxford--Bolingbroke's Jacobite Cabinet--Illness of the Queen--The Whig _Coup d'Ãtat_--Ruin and Desperation of the Jacobites--Death of Anne--Proclamation of George I. The Houses of Parliament reassembled on the 17th of January, 1712, and Anne sent word that she was not able to attend in person, not having recovered sufficiently from her attack of the gout. She announced that the plenipotentiaries were now assembled at Utrecht, and were already engaged in endeavouring to procure just satisfaction to all the Allies according to their several treaties, and especially with relation to Spain and the Indies. This was a delusion, for, by our treaty with the Emperor, we had engaged to secure Spain and the Indies for his son; and it was now, notwithstanding the assurance in her message regarding them, fully determined to give them up to Philip. There was a strong protest in the message against the evil declarations that there had been an intention to make a separate peace, though nothing was more notorious than that the Ministers were resolved, if the Allies did not come to their terms, to go on without them. The message ended by recommending a measure for the restriction of the liberty of the press. Much alarm was expressed at the great licence in the publishing of false and scandalous libels, though the Ministers themselves did not scruple to employ the terrible pen of Swift. On the 6th of January there landed at Greenwich an illustrious visitor to the Court on an unwelcome errand--namely, Prince Eugene. The Allies, justly alarmed at the Ministerial revolution which had taken place in England, and at the obvious design of the Tories to render abortive all the efforts of the Whigs and the Allies through the war, from mere party envy and malice, sent over Eugene to convince the queen and the Government of the fatal consequences of such policy. Harley paid obsequious court to the prince as long as he hoped to win him over. He gave a magnificent dinner in his honour, and declared that he looked on that day as the happiest of his life, since he had the honour to see in his house the greatest captain of the age. The prince, who felt that this was a mean blow at Marlborough, replied with a polite but cutting sarcasm, which must have sunk deep in the bosom of the Lord Treasurer, "My lord, if I am the greatest captain of the age, I owe it to your lordship." That was to say, because he had deprived the really greatest captain of his command. The queen, though she was compelled to treat Eugene graciously, and to order the preparation of costly gifts to him as the representative of the Allies, regarded him as a most unwelcome guest, and in her private circle took no pains to conceal it. The whole Tory party soon found that he was not a man to be seduced from his integrity, or brought to acquiesce in a course of policy which he felt and knew to be most disgraceful and disastrous to the peace of Europe; and being fully convinced of this, they let loose on the illustrious stranger all the virulence of the press. Eugene returned to the Continent, his mission being unaccomplished, on the 13th of March. Whilst Prince Eugene had been labouring in vain to recall the English Government from its fatal determination to make a disgraceful peace, the Dutch envoy Van Buys had been equally active, and with as little success. The Ministers incited the House of Commons to pass some severe censures on the Dutch. They alleged that the States General had not furnished their stipulated number of troops both for the campaigns in the Netherlands and in Spain; that the queen had paid above three millions of crowns more than her contingent. They attacked the Barrier Treaty, concluded by Lord Townshend with them in 1709, and declared that it contained several Articles destructive to the trade and interests of Great Britain; that Lord Townshend was not authorised to make that treaty; and that both he and all those who advised it were enemies to the queen and kingdom. They addressed a memorial to the queen, averring that England, during the war, had been overcharged nineteen millions sterling--which was an awful charge of mismanagement or fraud on the part of the Whig Ministers. They further asserted that the Dutch had made great acquisitions; had extended their trade as well as their dominion, whilst England had only suffered loss. Anne gave her sanction to this address by telling the House that she regarded their address as an additional proof of their affection for her person and their attention to the interests of the nation; and she ordered her ambassador at the Hague, the new Earl of Strafford, to inform the States of these complaints of her Parliament, and to assure them that they must increase their forces in Flanders, or she must decrease hers. This naturally roused the States, who made a very different statement; contending that, by the treaties, every ally was bound to do all in its power to bring the common enemy to terms; that England, being more powerful than Holland, ought to bear a larger share of the burden of the war; yet that the forces of Holland had been in the Netherlands often upwards of a hundred thousand, whilst those of England had not amounted to seventy thousand; that this had prevented the Dutch from sending more soldiers to Spain; and that, whilst England had been at peace in her own territory, they (the Dutch) had suffered severely in the struggle. To this a sharp answer was drawn up by St. John, and despatched on the 8th of March, of which the real gist was that, according to the Dutch, England could never give too much, or the United Provinces too little. Nothing could exceed the bitterness of tone which existed between England and the Allies, with whom it had so long manfully contended against encroaching France; for the whole world felt how unworthily the English generally were acting under the Tory Ministry, and this did not tend to forward the negotiations, which had been going on at Utrecht since the 29th of January. To this conference had been appointed as the British plenipotentiaries, the new Earl of Strafford--whom Swift, a great partisan of the Tory Ministry, pronounced a poor creature--and Robinson, Bishop of Bristol, Lord Privy Seal. On the part of France appeared the Marshal d'Uxelles, the AbbÃ© de Polignac, and Mesnager, who had lately been in England settling the preliminaries. On the part of the Dutch were Buys and Vanderdussen; and, besides these, the Emperor, the Duke of Savoy, and the lesser German princes had their representatives. France and England being already agreed, independently of the consent of the rest of the Allies, the conference began on a basis which was sure to lead to immediate confusion and contention. The Dutch plenipotentiaries were astonished to see the different tone displayed by the French ambassadors. They were no longer the humble personages that they had been at Gertruydenberg. The AbbÃ© Polignac, who was the chief speaker, assumed a high and confident manner. The French envoys, therefore, when the Dutch deputies demanded that the treaty should be carried out on the basis of the terms offered at Gertruydenberg, told them plainly that matters were now quite altered, and that the conditions offered at Gertruydenberg could not be entertained by France at all, but those to which the Queen of England had agreed in London; that unless the Dutch were willing to treat on these conditions, they would find their allies concluding peace without them, and that on the spot. The chief article to which the Allies objected was the concession of Spain to Philip; and they were the more resolute because it had become imminently necessary from changes that had now taken place in France. The Dauphin had died of the smallpox during the last year. The title had been conferred on his son, the Duke of Burgundy; but the Duke of Burgundy had just expired, too, in the sixth year of his age; and of the Dauphin's children there only now remained the Duke of Anjou, a sickly child of two years old. This child was the only remaining obstacle to Philip, the King of Spain, mounting the throne of France. The danger was so obvious of the union of France and Spain in a very few years--to prevent which had been the object of the war--that the English Government was compelled to demand from Philip a distinct renunciation of all claims on the French Crown, and from France as distinct a one in the treaty that any such claim should be resisted. St. John entered into a correspondence with De Torcy, the French minister, on this point; and the answers of De Torcy must have shown the English Government how useless it was to attempt to bind Frenchmen on such matters. He replied that any renunciation on the part of Philip or any French prince would be utterly null and void according to the laws; that on the king's death the next heir male of the royal blood succeeded, independently of any disposition or restriction of the late king, or any will of the people, or of himself, even; that he was, by the laws of France, sovereign by right of succession, and must be so, in spite of any circumstances to the contrary; that neither himself, the throne, nor the people had anything to do with it, but to obey the constitution. Therefore, even if Philip did bind himself to renounce the Crown of France, should the present Dauphin die, he would be king, independently of any circumstances whatever. Another expedient, however, was proposed by the English ministry, who must have seen clearly enough the folly of their treating on such hollow ground. That was, if Philip did not like to renounce the Crown of France, he should at once quit the throne of Spain, and agree that the Duke of Savoy should take it and the Indies, surrendering his own territories to Philip, to which should be added Naples, Sicily, Montserrat, and Mantua, all of which, whenever Philip succeeded to the French Crown, should be annexed to France, with the exception of Sicily, which should be made over to Austria. Louis XIV. professed to be delighted with this arrangement, but Philip would not listen to it, showing plainly that he meant, notwithstanding any renunciation, to retain his claim to both France and Spain. On such utterly unsubstantial ground did the English ministers continue this negotiation. They assured De Torcy that the Queen of England insisted on Philip's renunciation of one throne or the other, and he at length renounced that of France, everybody seeing that the sense in which he renounced it was no renunciation at all, but a pretence to get the peace effected; and thus the English ministers, with their eyes open to the fraud, went on urging the Allies to come into these most delusive and unsatisfactory terms. But as the renunciation of Philip did not arrive till after midsummer, the negotiators at Utrecht continued to talk without advancing, and the armies in the field continued to look at each other without fighting. Marshal Villars, like the French plenipotentiaries, had made a great display of forces, pretty certain, from private information, that there was little fear of being attacked. The Allies had a fine army of one hundred and twenty thousand men opposed to him; but so far as the English were concerned, their commander had his hands tied. The Duke of Ormonde was sent to take the place of the Duke of Marlborough--a certain indication that he was meant only for a mere show general. He was a staunch Jacobite, but no general of talents or experience fit to succeed a man like Marlborough. On arriving at the Hague he assured the States General that his instructions were to act zealously with the Allies, and especially the Dutch, and from his letters it would appear that such were his orders. But before his arrival, Mr. Thomas Harley, a relative of Oxford's, and the AbbÃ© Gualtier, had reached the Hague, and had assured the plenipotentiaries that the Government had determined on peace, and would not allow the army to fight. They also brought over with them the scheme of the Treaty, which was not yet to be made known to the Dutch. But the States General were too well aware of the hollow proceedings of the English Court, and, disgusted at the withdrawal of Marlborough and the substitution of Ormonde, they would not entrust their troops to him, but appointed Eugene as their own general. Thus, instead of one generalissimo of consummate genius, the army was divided under two chiefs, the abler chief, the Prince Eugene, having the utmost contempt for the martial talents of his colleague. All on the part of England, both in the conference and in the army, was hollow, treacherous, and disgraceful. Yet, though there was to be no fighting, the pretence of it was kept up. The Earl of Albemarle marched with a detachment of the army to Arras, where he burnt and destroyed some magazines of the French. Ormonde, too, joined Prince Eugene on the 26th of May, and the united army passed the Scheldt, and encamped between Haspres and Solennes. Eugene proposed to attack Villars in his lines, and Ormonde consented to it, but he immediately received a peremptory order from Mr. Secretary St. John against engaging in any siege or battle, and he was directed to keep this order profoundly secret from the Allies. Ormonde was also instructed that if Villars should intimate that he was aware of these secret proceedings, he was to take no notice of them; nor was Villars long in letting
{'title': "Cassell's History of England, Vol. 4 (of 8) by Anonymous", 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}