[Illustration: Map Of Western Europe In The Time Of Queen Anne. The
shading represents the dominions of Louis XIV.]
He was known as a brave and an able officer, not much more, except
that he was known also to be a great miser. His wife, Sarah Jennings,
now the Countess of Marlborough, was in high favour with the new
Queen; indeed, she was at that time the most influential subject in
the kingdom.
To Marlborough, then, was given the command of the combined English
and Dutch forces.
It needs no telling that the declaration of war, a war in which the
greater part of Europe would most likely be involved, caused no small
consternation among those whose business was with the sea and with
shipping. Fairburn's business necessitated that his single brig should
be constantly running to and from London, and it was early rumoured
that French cruisers and privateers were prowling about the North Sea
and the Channel. A schooner of considerable size, belonging to Squire
Blackett, had, indeed, been chased, off the Norfolk coast, and had
escaped only by the fact that it was lightly laden--it was returning
in ballast to the Tyne--and by its superior sailing qualities. Such
things brought home to every collier the realities of the situation.
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