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 already presented him with Jermyn’s pension, and Jacob Hall’s salary, because the merits and qualifications of both were united in his person:  others maintained that he had too indolent an air, and too delicate a shape, long to maintain himself in her favour; but all agreed that a man who was the favourite of the king’s mistress, and brother to the duke’s favourite, was in a fair way of preferment, and could not fail to make his fortune.  As a proof, the Duke of York soon after gave him a place in his household:  this was naturally to be expected; but the king, who did not think that Lady Cleveland’s kindness to him was a sufficient recommendation to his favour, thought proper to forbid him the court.

This good-natured king began now to be rather peevish:  nor was it altogether without reason:  he disturbed no person in their amours, and yet others had often the presumption to encroach upon his.  Lord Dorset, first lord of the bed-chamber, had lately debauched from his service Nell Gwyn, the actress.  Lady Cleveland, whom he now no longer regarded, continued to disgrace him by repeated infidelities with unworthy rivals, and almost ruined him by the immense sums