Some of the leading Tories were making
preparations for a revolution in favour of the Pretender, but the
death of Anne came before their preparations were complete, and George
of Hanover was quietly proclaimed as George I.
Before Marlborough died George Fairburn was a lieutenant-colonel, and,
as he happened to be stationed for a time at Windsor, he and his wife,
the Mary Blackett of old, had more than once the honour of an
invitation to Windsor Park, the Duke's favourite abode, his great
palace of Blenheim being not yet ready for him.
* * * * *
We hear of our hero, many long years after all this, a stout old
soldier, General Sir George Fairburn, taking part in the memorable
chase after the Young Pretender in 1745, and the subsequent great
fight at Culloden.
"And I tell you, sir," said Mr. Matthew Blackett, member for Langkirk,
as he told the story to a crony in the smoking-room of his club,
White's, "I tell you, sir, he trod Culloden Moor with all the vigour
and fire he had when we marched with Marlborough to Malplaquet."
REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND MOVEMENTS
1. THE SUCCESSION TO THE CROWN
This question, especially after the death of all Anne's children,
became a most important one.
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