In another place she says: "Women signify nothing unless they are the mistresses of a Prince or a Prime Minister, which I would not be if I were young; and I think there are very few, if any, women that have understanding or impartiality enough to serve well those they really wish to serve." The wife of the great captain and hero of Queen Anne's time--the most remarkable woman of her own, or perhaps of any epoch--lived to the age of eighty-four. "So singular was the fate of this extraordinary woman in private life," it has been truly observed, "that scarcely did she possess a tie which was not severed or embittered by worldly or political considerations." Those who hopelessly covet wealth, honour, and celebrity through the avenues of political strife may contemplate the career of Sarah Duchess of Marlborough with profit, and rise from the study reconciled to a calmer course of life and resigned to a humbler fate. INDEX. ALBERONI, Julio Abbe (afterwards cardinal), Prime Minister of Spain, deceives Madame des Ursins as to the character of Elizabeth Farnese, 270-289; his representation of that most ambitious princess as "a jolly Parmesane fattened upon cheese and butter," 291; concerts with the Princess of Parma the ruin of Madame des Ursins, 292; belonged to the intrepid race of political gamesters, 294. AMELOT, the President, nominated ambassador for Spain by Madame des Ursins, 191. ANNE of AUSTRIA (mother of Louis XIV.), an example among all queens, and almost among all women, of constancy in adversity, 17; her reception of Mazarin after his exile, 18.