engrossed the administration and legislative power. The
parliamentary strain was quite altered. One can hardly conceive how
resolutions so widely different could be taken on the same subject,
with any shadow of reason and decorum. Marlborough, who but a few months
before had been so highly extolled and caressed by the representatives
of the people, was now become the object of parliamentary hatred and
censure, though no sensible alteration had happened in his conduct or
success. That hero, who had retrieved the glory of the British arms, won
so many battles, subdued such a number of towns and districts, humbled
the pride and checked the ambition of France, secured the liberty of
Europe, and, as it were, chained victory to his chariot wheels, was in
a few weeks dwindled into an object of contempt and derision. He
was ridiculed in public libels, and reviled in private conversation.
Instances were every where repeated of his fraud, warice, and extortion;
his insolence, cruelty, ambition, and misconduct; even his courage was
called in question; and this consummate general was represented as the
lowest of mankind. So unstable is the popularity of every character that
fluctuates between two opposite tides of faction.

INQUIRY INTO THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR IN SPAIN.

The lords, in their answer to the queen's message, declared, that as
the misfortune in Spain might have been occasioned by some preceding
mismanagement, they would use their utmost endeavours to discover it,
so as to prevent the like for the future. They set on foot an inquiry
concerning the affairs of Spain; and the earl of Peterborough being
examined before the committee, imputed all the miscarriages in
the course of that war to the earl of Galway and general Stanhope.
Notwithstanding the defence of Galway, which was clear and convincing,
the house resolved, that the earl of Peterborough had given a faithful
and honourable account of the councils of war in Valencia: that the earl
of Galway, lord Tyrawley, and general Stanhope, in advising an offensive
war, had been the unhappy occasion of the battle of Almanza, the source
of our misfortunes in Spain, and one great cause of the disappointment
of the expedition to Toulon, concerted with her majesty. They voted that
the prosecution of an offensive war in Spain was approved and directed
by the ministers, who were therefore justly blameable, as having
contributed to all our misfortunes in Spain, and to the disap