he endeavoured to appease their
resentment with soft persuasion, which had no effect; and when they
retired from court, to the astonishment of all the spectators, she
repaired in person to the council. There Mr. Secretary Harley began to
explain the cause of their meeting, which was some circumstance relating
to foreign affairs. The duke of Somerset said, he did not see how they
could deliberate on such matters while the general and treasurer were
absent: the other members observed a sullen silence; so that the council
broke up, and the queen found herself in danger of being abandoned by
her ministers. Next day her majesty sent for the duke of Marlborough,
and told him that Harley should immediately resign his office, which
was conferred upon Mr. Henry Boyle, chancellor of the exchequer; but she
deeply resented the deportment of the duke and the earl of Godolphin,
from whom she entirely withdrew her confidence. Sir Simon Harcourt,
attorney-general, sir Thomas Mansel, comptroller of the household, and
Mr. St. John, relinquished their several posts upon the disgrace of
Harley.

THE PRETENDER EMBARKS AT DUNKIRK FOR SCOTLAND.

The kingdom was at this period alarmed with a threatened invasion from
France. The court of St. Germain's had sent over one colonel Hook with
credentials to Scotland, to learn the situation, number, and ability
of the pretender's friends in that country. This minister, by his
misconduct, produced a division among the Scottish Jacobites. Being a
creature of the duke of Perth, he attached himself wholly to the duke
of Athol, and those other zealous partisans who were bent upon receiving
the pretender without conditions; and he neglected the duke of Hamilton,
the earl-marshal, and other adherents of that house, who adopted the
more moderate principles avowed by the earl of Middleton, At his return
to France, he made such a favourable report of the disposition and power
of the Scottish nation, that Louis resolved to equip an armament, and
send over the pretender to that kingdom. His pretence was to establish
that prince on the throne of his ancestors; but his real aim was to make
a diversion from the Netherlands, and excite a revolt in Great Britain,
which should hinder queen Anne from exerting herself against France
on the continent. He began to make preparations for this expedition
at Dunkirk, where a squadron was assembled under the command of the
chevalier de Fourbin; and a body of land forces