nd judgment. But these alone would
probably have raised him but something higher than they found him,
which was page to King James II.'s queen. There the graces
protected and promoted him; for while he was an ensign of the
guards, the Duchess of Cleveland, then favourite mistress to King
Charles II., struck by those very graces, gave him five thousand
pounds; with which he immediately bought an annuity for his life, of
five hundred pounds a-year, of my grandfather, Halifax; which was
the foundation of his subsequent fortune. His figure was beautiful;
but his manner was irresistible by either man or woman. It was by
this engaging, graceful manner, that he was enabled, during all his
wars, to connect the various and jarring powers of the grand
alliance, and to carry them on to the main object of the war,
notwithstanding their private and separate views, jealousies, and
wrong-headednesses. Whatever court he went to, (and he was often
obliged to go himself to some restive and refractory ones,) he as
constantly prevailed, and brought them into his measures. The
pensionary Heinsius, a venerable old minister, grown grey in
business, and who had governed the republic of the United Provinces
for more than forty years, was absolutely governed by the Duke of
Marlborough, as that republic feels to this day. He was always
cool; and nobody ever observed the least variation in his
countenance. He could refuse more gracefully than other people
could grant; and those who went away from him the most dissatisfied,
as to the substance of their business, were yet personally charmed
with him, and, in some degree, comforted by his manner. With all
his gracefulness, no man living was more conscious of his situation,
or maintained his dignity better."--Chest. Letters, letter 136.]

A man who, from an ensign in the guards, was raised to such a fortune,
must certainly possess an uncommon share of prudence, not to be
intoxicated with his happiness. Churchill boasted in all places of
the new favour he had received: the Duchess of Cleveland, who neither
recommended to him circumspection in his behaviour, nor in his
conversation, did not seem to be in the least concerned at his
indiscretion. Thus this intrigue was become a general topic in all
companies, when the court arrived in London, and occasioned an immense
number of speculations and reasonings: some said she had a