AINSWORTH'S MAGAZINE: A MISCELLANY OF ROMANCE, General Literature, & Art. EDITED BY WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH. ILLUSTRATED BY HABLOT K. BROWNE. VOL. VI. LONDON: JOHN MORTIMER, PUBLISHER, ADELAIDE STREET, TRAFALGAR SQUARE. MDCCCXLIV. AINSWORTH'S MAGAZINE. Saint James's: OR THE COURT OF QUEEN ANNE. BY THE EDITOR. BOOK THE THIRD. CHAPTER THE FIRST. GIVES A SLIGHT INSIGHT INTO THE PROGRESS OF HARLEY'S INTRIGUES FOR POWER. Two years and upwards had elapsed, and Abigail's promise remained unfulfilled. The Whigs were still in power, and the Marlborough family paramount in influence. But neither delay nor defeat discouraged Harley. Resolved to hazard nothing by precipitation, he carefully strengthened himself so as to be sure of holding his place when he obtained it. His measures, at first obscure and apparently purposeless, began to grow defined and intelligible. Confident of the support of the Tories, and of those in the Jacobite interest, he at last succeeded in winning over some of the opposite party, and among others, Earl Rivers, who became his confidential agent, and acquainted him with all the designs of his colleagues. By working upon his vanity and jealousy, he managed likewise to estrange the Duke of Somerset, and the queen was prevailed upon to aid in the scheme, by constantly inviting the duke to her private conferences, and flattering his inordinate self-esteem. The Duke of Shrewsbury was also gained over by similar arts, though he hesitated to commit himself by any step which should compromise him with his party. While thus providing himself with supporters, Harley strove to undermine the stronghold of his opponents. He had long since succeeded in rendering the Duchess of Marlborough obnoxious to the queen, and unpopular with the court; and he now turned his weapons chiefly against the duke. Three more campaigns, which, if not distinguished by victories as glorious as those of Blenheim and Ramilies, still were sufficiently brilliant, had been added to the roll of Marlborough's achievements. The first of these passed off without any remarkable action; but in the summer of 1708, the important battle of Oudenard was gained; and in the autumn of the suc |