to the now more than ever confounded ministers that this was concerted. They remained helpless in the hands of their opponents, though the Jacobites had for some time made even a parade of their own party organisation, wearing at their button-holes a small gold, silver, or brass fusee or miniature gun as a signal on the expected day of struggle.
The whig dukes immediately demanded that the queen's physicians should be called and examined as to her probable continuance. The physicians in general were of opinion that her majesty might linger some time, but Dr. Mead declared that she could not live many days, perhaps not many hours; from the apoplectic symptoms she might be gone in one.
It was proposed to send a notice of her state to the elector of Hanover. Mead declared that he would stake his reputation that her majesty would be no more long before that intelligence reached Hanover.
QUEEN ANNE’S BEDCHAMBER.
Argyll and Somerset thereupon declared it absolutely necessary that the post of lord treasurer should be filled up, as it was requisite that, at such a moment, there should be a recognised prime minister, and proposed that the duke of Shrewsbury should be nominated to that office. Bolingbroke felt that his power and all his plans wore at an end, and sate like one in a dream. The members of the council then proceeded to the queen's apartment, and Bolingbroke followed them, as it were, mechanically. The queen was sensible enough to be made aware of their errand, and expressed her approval of it. Shrewsbury, however, with that singular hesitation which always characterised him, refused to take the white staff, except from her majesty's own hand. It was, therefore, handed to her, and she extended it towards Shrewsbury, saying, "For God's sake, use it for the good of my people."
Shrewsbury was already chamberlain, and he presented the staff of that office in resignation of it, but the queen bade him retain both; and thus the man who all his life had been refusing office, or insisting on resigning it when in his possession, and had tormented king William with his backwardness, entreating that he might be allowed to be "an insignificant cypher instead of a bad figure," found himself in the unprecedented possession of the three highest offices of the kingdom at a most momentous crisis. He was at once lord treasurer, lord chamberlain, and lord lieutenant of Ireland.
Oxford had sent round a circular to every whig lord in or near London who had ever belonged to the privy council, warning them to come and make a struggle for the protestant succession. This was one of the most decided actions of that vibratory statesman, and was no doubt prompted by his desire to avenge his recent defeat by Bolingbroke, and to stand well at the last moment with the house of Hanover. In consequence of this, the Jacobite ministers found themselves completely prostrate and helpless in the midst of the strong muster of whigs. Even the aged and infirm Somers made his appearance, and threw the weight of his great name into the scale. Prompt measures were taken to secure the advent of the new king. Four regiments were ordered to London; seven battalions were sent for from Ostend, where Marlborough was said to have secured their zealous fidelity to the elector; a fleet was ordered to put to sea to prevent any interruption of his transit, and to receive him in Holland. An embargo was laid on all parts, and the queen the next morning having sunk again into lethargy, the council ordered the heralds-at-arms and a troop of the life-guards to be in readiness to proclaim the successor. Mr.
