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AUTHOR OF A HISTORY OF OUR OWN TIMES' ETC.

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A HISTORY

OF

THE FOUR GEORGES

CHAPTER I.

'MORE, ALAS! THAN THE QUEEN'S LIFE!

'THE QUEEN is pretty well,' Swift wrote to Lord Peterborough on May 18, 1714, 'at present, but the least disorder she has puts all in alarm.' Swift goes on to tell his correspondent that when it is over we act as if she were immortal, neither is it possible to persuade people to make any preparations against an evil day.' Yet on the condition of Queen Anne's health depended to all appearance the continuance of peace in England. While Anne was sinking down to death rival claimants were planning to seize the throne; rival statesmen and rival parties were plotting, intriguing, sending emissaries, moving troops, organising armies, for a great struggle. Queen Anne had reigned for little more than twelve years. She succeeded William the Third on March 8, 1702, and at the time when Swift wrote the words

VOL. I.

B

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