BOOK X.

A.D. 1714.

And to the Duke of
Cambridge:

I leave you to judge what tumults they may be able to raise, if they should have a pretext to begin a commotion. I persuade myself, therefore, you will never consent that the least thing will be done that may disturb the repose of me and my subjects.

66

Open yourself to me with the same freedom I do to you, and propose whatever you may think will contribute to the security of the succession: I will come into it with zeal, provided it do not derogate from my dignity, which I am resolved to maintain; and I am, with a great deal of affection," &c.

To the prince she addressed herself also, by the same messenger, as follows:

Cousin-An accident which has happened in my Lord Paget's family having hindered him from setting forward as soon as he thought to have done, I cannot defer any longer letting you know my thoughts with respect to the design you have of coming into my kingdoms. As the opening of this matter ought to have been first to me, so I expected you would not have given ear to it without knowing my thoughts about it. However, this is what I owe to

you,

my own dignity, the friendship I have for
and the Electoral House to which you belong,
and the true desire I have that it may succeed
to my kingdoms; and this requires of me that
I should tell you, that nothing can be more
dangerous to the tranquillity of my dominions,
and the right of succession in your line, and,
consequently, more disagreeable to me, than
such a proceeding at this juncture.

"I am, with a great deal of friendship,

"Your affectionate cousin,

BOOK X.

A.D. 1714.

"ANNE R."

These letters made a powerful impression Her Letters agitate

upon the aged Electress, whose feelings were not in a state to be thwarted in any of her political arrangements, particularly in this which she had so much at heart. She directed copies of them to be sent to the Duke of Marlborough, with whom she had constantly corresponded, and who was then at Antwerp; and we learn from the letters of: Mr. Molyneux, at that time his grace's political agent at the court of Hanover, that the result was more fatal than was at first apprehended. The Electress was so deeply

the Electress:

BOOK X.

A.D. 1714.

affected with the anxiety of the moment, that her feeble frame sunk under contending passions.

The letters were delivered on Wednesday, the 6th of June, at noon; and although she continued her usual occupations, and conversed on indifferent subjects, she complained of being unwell on Thursday, and was confined to her bed. On Friday she was able to dress and dine with the Elector, and in the evening took her accustomed walk in the orangery, behind the palace; but being caught in a shower of rain, she walked rather quickly to get under cover. Her attendants remarked to her, that she was walking too fast: she answered, “I believe I Who dies suddenly do ;" and immediately dropped down, and these were the last words she ever uttered. Thus died Sophia, Electress and Duchess-dowager of Brunswick-Luneburg and Hanover, the 8th of June, 1714, in the 84th year of her age.

Character of Sophia:

She was a woman, as we have stated, of uncommon beauty, and of a masculine understanding. A contemporary writer relates, that at the age of seventy-three she possessed all the beauty and vigour of youth, stept as firm