Part 17 (1/2)

CHAPTER XVII

THE AGE OF QUEEN ANNE

I--IMPORTANCE OF THIS PERIOD

The reign of Queen Anne, the last sovereign of the House of Stuart, is one of the important epochs in English history. McCarthy says it ranks with that of Pericles in Greece, of Augustus in Rome, and of Elizabeth in England. In war, in politics, in the spread of social democracy, and above all in literature, this was truly a remarkable period.

In order to understand the times several meetings should be given to a comprehensive view of Europe. The reign of Louis XIV and a sketch of his court will fill one meeting. One on Spain should follow; a third may take up Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Holy Roman Empire, and what it stood for. After these have a fourth presenting the question of the balance of power in Europe. Discuss the English Pretender in France.

Follow with brief papers on Peter the Great and Charles XII of Sweden.

II--THE QUEEN AND HER COURT

Turning now to England, Queen Anne and her court may be taken up in detail. Anne lacked the force of the Tudors and the attractive temperament of the Stuarts. She had neither the brains of her predecessor, William, nor the Teutonic dullness of the Georges who followed her; but she was, above all things, distinctly English. She loved her people; she believed in Protestantism; she was kind, affectionate and good; she possessed all the domestic virtues. Yet she was by no means a strong character. Her reign owes nothing of its brilliance to its queen. In everything she had to be guided, and the power of the individuals who governed her is one of the curious facts of the time. One paper may present her home life, with its simplicity.

Contrast the court life of this period with that which had preceded it.

Read selections from ”Henry Esmond.”

III--THE MARLBOROUGHS

The Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of Marlborough should be the theme of two papers.

The latter had an extraordinary influence upon Anne and dictated her court policy. Read of the letters they exchanged, signed ”Mrs. Morley”

and ”Mrs. Freeman.” The Duke was a man in whom weakness and strength united. Have the paper on his character show his self-interest, his treachery even, and his notorious parsimony; contrast these qualities with those which redeemed the man. Note his wonderful military genius.

IV--THE WARS AND AFTER

After this will come the subject of the Grand Alliance, which will serve as an introduction to the great topic of the European wars which occupied the Continent for years. In studying this use a map at each meeting, and have papers on Marlborough in Flanders; the campaigns of the armies in Germany, Bavaria, and the West Indies; the war in Spain; the persecution of the Huguenots and Camisards and, finally, a summing-up of the struggle.

The next stages of the war may be divided into the Year of Victory and the Year of Defeat. If time allows, follow the war to its close.

The next great subject under Queen Anne's reign is that of the extension of power in England of the two great parties, the Whigs and Tories. Notice how the ministry changed from time to time, and who its leaders were. See how Anne, under the influence of a favorite, Mrs.

Masham, gave her support to the Tories, and how this finally led to the Peace of Utrecht, which concluded the war.

Observe here the alienation which rose between the d.u.c.h.ess of Marlborough and the Queen, also the disgrace of Marlborough; read his letter of defense, and have a sketch of his later life. Show pictures of Blenheim Palace.

Following these events comes the Union of Scotland, Ireland and Wales with England, a topic full of interest. Discuss the bargain each country made; what did she lose and what did she gain? What results were brought about later?

The unpopularity of the Union in Scotland had one direct result, that of the rising in favor of the Young Pretender. Have a paper on this romantic episode. Observe how it led to the establishment of the Protestant Succession.

In closing this period study as many of the great leaders of English political life as possible, notably Walpole, Bolingbroke and the Earls of Oxford and Shrewsbury.

V--LITERATURE OF THE TIMES

Turning now from war and politics, there may be a delightful study of the literature of the time, for the period was one of great intellectual originality.