The commons
were more warm and hearty in their assurances, exhorting her majesty to
discountenance all such principles and measures as had lately threatened
her royal crown and dignity--measures which, whenever they might
prevail, would prove fatal to the whole constitution, both in church and
state. After this declaration they proceeded to consider the estimates,
and cheerfully granted the supplies for the ensuing year, part of
which was raised by two lotteries. In the house of peers, the earl of
Scarborough moved that the thanks of the house should be returned to the
duke of Marlborough; but the duke of Argyle made some objections to* the
motion, and the general's friends, dreading the consequence of putting
the question, postponed the consideration of this proposal until the
duke should return from the continent. The earl of Peterborough was
appointed ambassador-extraordinary to the Imperial court; the earl of
Rivers was sent in the same quality to Hanover; Mr. Richard Hill was
nominated envoy-extraordinary to the United Provinces, as well as to
the council of state appointed for the government of the Spanish
Netherlands, in the room of lieutenant-general Cadogan. Meredith,
Macartney, and Honey wood, were deprived of their regiments, because
in their cups they had drank confusion to the enemies of the duke of
Marlborough.

DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH INSULTED.

This nobleman arrived in England towards the latter end of December. He
conferred about half an hour in private with the queen, and next morning
assisted at a committee of the privy-council. Her majesty give him to
understand that he needed not expect the thanks of the parliament as
formerly; and told him she hoped he would live well with her ministers.
He expressed no resentment at the alterations which had been made; but
resolved to acquiesce in the queen's pleasure, and retain the command of
the army on her own terms. On the second day of January, the queen sent
a message to both houses, intimating that there had been an action in
Spain to the disadvantage of king Charles; that the damage having fallen
particularly on the English forces, she had given directions for sending
and procuring troops to repair their loss, and hoped the parliament
would approve her conduct. Both houses seized this opportunity of
venting their spleen against the old ministry. The history of England
is disgraced by the violent conduct of two turbulent factions, which,
in their turn,