tories until his military genius found itself overcrowed by
that of the great French captain, the Duke de Vendome. His soldier's
career came to a premature close, as indeed his whole mortal career did
not very long after the time at which we have now arrived. Stanhope
was a man of scholarly education, almost a scholar; he had abilities
above the common; he had indomitable energy, and was as daring and
resolute in the council as in the field. He had a domineering mind,
was outspoken and haughty, trampling over other men's opinions as a
charge of cavalry treads down the grasses of the field it traverses.
He made enemies, and did not heed their enmity. He was single-minded,
and, what was not very common in that day, he was free from any love of
money or taint of personal greed. He does not rank high either among
statesmen or soldiers, but as statesman and soldier together he has
made for himself a distinct and a peculiar place. His career will
always be remembered without effort by the readers of English history.

[Sidenote: 1714--Coronation of the King]

A new Privy Council was formed which included the name of Marlborough.
The Duchess of Marlborough urged her husband not to accept this office
of barren honor. It is said that the one only occasion on which
Marlborough had ventured to act against the dictation of his wife was
when he thus placed himself again at the disposal of the King. He
never ceased to regret that he had not followed her advice in this
instance as in others. His proud heart soon burned within him when he
found that he was appreciated, understood, and put aside; mocked with a
semblance of power, humiliated under the pretext of doing him honor.

Much more humiliating, much more ominous, however, was the reception
awaiting Oxford and Bolingbroke. From the moment of his arrival, the
King showed himself {101} determined to take no friendly notice of the
great Tories. Oxford found it most difficult even to get audience of
his Majesty. The morning after the King's arrival, Oxford was allowed,
after much pressure and many entreaties, to wait upon the Sovereign,
and to kiss his hand. He was received in chilling silence. Truly, it
was not likely that much conversation would take place, seeing that
George spoke no English and Oxford spoke no German. But there was
something in the King's demeanor towards him, as well as in the mere
fact that no words were exchanged, which must have told Oxford that