While the English Commonwealth was in this condition, with Parliament predominant over kingdom and King, and the Tories predominant in Parliament, there came up a new succession-question, which as yet had not been provided for.

Hitherto William Duke of Gloucester, the Princess Anne's son, had been regarded as heir-presumptive to the throne after his mother. The boy was just eleven, and of the numerous children whom the Princess had borne seemed to be the only one destined to grow up; he appeared to justify good hopes for both mind and body. A little court had been created for his education at Windsor; over this Marlborough presided; Bishop Burnet not only superintended his teaching, but himself taught him history, theology, and everything relating to politics, the branches of education which seemed to be of special importance for the heir to the throne. He praises the good memory and sound judgment which the boy showed: the prince not unfrequently interrupted the monotony of his lessons by original remarks. Many were glad to hear that these remarks often harmonised but ill with the latitudinarian and Whiggish views of the Bishop. He seemed also to have a still stronger taste for arms than for books. The Tories who, while they accepted the Revolution, still hoped to see a return to the doctrine of hereditary right, looked on the boy as their future strength. They thought they might expect him to be a prince of the old stock, yet energetic, and impressed with all the old monarchical ideas, enterprising and English to the backbone.