DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0369
MISS JENNINGS.
315
they were first introduced to the court, about the year 1G64, Ara-
bella Churchill was sixteen, and her brother about fourteen years
old ; and certain scandal-mongers affirm, that young Churchill’s
rapid promotion was owing to his sister’s promotion in a different
sense. She captivated the Duke of York more by the charms of
her figure and manner, than her face; and she had not virtue
enough to resist his importunities, or wit enough to make the best
conditions for herself ; but having, unhappily, forfeited her place
and title of Maid of Honour, did not seek to parade or ennoble her
degradation. She was the mother of four children by the duke ;
her eldest son, James Fitz-James, was the famous Marshal Due
de Berwick, one of the greatest military characters of the last
century; and one of her daughters married the first Earl of Wal-
degrave. Arabella Churchill afterwards married Colonel Godfrey
of the Jewel-office, with whom she lived in the utmost harmony,
and was respected for the correctness of her conduct and her
domestic virtues.
She died in 1730, at the great age of eighty-two, having sur-
vived her lover, husband, and her children. The feelings and
situation of this woman, about the beginning of the last century
when the sovereign who had loved her had been tumbled from his
throne, and was living a poor exile,—when her husband was serv-
ing against him,—when her brother was opposed to the armies of
Louis XIV., and her not less illustrious son defending* the
interests of that monarch in Spain,—must have been strange and
interesting*.
“ Which, is the side that I must go withal ?
I am with all: each army hath a hand—
"Whoever wins on that side shall I lose—
Assured loss before the match be played !”
Miss Temple and Miss Jennings were of different metal,—metal
purer as well as more attractive. Anne Temple, the eldest of the
two, was the daughter of a Warwickshire gentleman of ancient
family ; she was beautiful, something of a brunette in complexion,
315
they were first introduced to the court, about the year 1G64, Ara-
bella Churchill was sixteen, and her brother about fourteen years
old ; and certain scandal-mongers affirm, that young Churchill’s
rapid promotion was owing to his sister’s promotion in a different
sense. She captivated the Duke of York more by the charms of
her figure and manner, than her face; and she had not virtue
enough to resist his importunities, or wit enough to make the best
conditions for herself ; but having, unhappily, forfeited her place
and title of Maid of Honour, did not seek to parade or ennoble her
degradation. She was the mother of four children by the duke ;
her eldest son, James Fitz-James, was the famous Marshal Due
de Berwick, one of the greatest military characters of the last
century; and one of her daughters married the first Earl of Wal-
degrave. Arabella Churchill afterwards married Colonel Godfrey
of the Jewel-office, with whom she lived in the utmost harmony,
and was respected for the correctness of her conduct and her
domestic virtues.
She died in 1730, at the great age of eighty-two, having sur-
vived her lover, husband, and her children. The feelings and
situation of this woman, about the beginning of the last century
when the sovereign who had loved her had been tumbled from his
throne, and was living a poor exile,—when her husband was serv-
ing against him,—when her brother was opposed to the armies of
Louis XIV., and her not less illustrious son defending* the
interests of that monarch in Spain,—must have been strange and
interesting*.
“ Which, is the side that I must go withal ?
I am with all: each army hath a hand—
"Whoever wins on that side shall I lose—
Assured loss before the match be played !”
Miss Temple and Miss Jennings were of different metal,—metal
purer as well as more attractive. Anne Temple, the eldest of the
two, was the daughter of a Warwickshire gentleman of ancient
family ; she was beautiful, something of a brunette in complexion,