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OF SOME DOMESTIC QUARRELS, AND THE CONSEQUENCE THEREOF.
An ingenious magazine-writer, who lived in the time of Mr.Brock and the Duke of Marlborough, compared the latter gentleman's conduct in battle, when he "In peaceful thought the field of death surveyed, To fainting squadrons lent the timely aid; Inspired repulsed battalions to engage, And taught the doubtful battle where to rage"-- Mr.Joseph Addison, I say, compared the Duke of Marlborough to an angel, who is sent by Divine command to chastise a guilty people-- "And pleased his Master's orders to perform, Rides on the whirlwind, and directs the storm." The first four of these novel lines touch off the Duke's disposition and genius to a tittle.

He had a love for such scenes of strife: in the midst of them his spirit rose calm and supreme, soaring (like an angel or not, but anyway the compliment is a very pretty one) on the battle-clouds majestic, and causing to ebb or to flow the mighty tide of war.
But as this famous simile might apply with equal propriety--to a bad angel as to a good one, it may in like manner be employed to illustrate small quarrels as well as great--a little family squabble, in which two or three people are engaged, as well as a vast national dispute, argued on each side by the roaring throats of five hundred angry cannon.

The poet means, in fact, that the Duke of Marlborough had an immense genius for mischief.
Our friend Brock, or Wood (whose actions we love to illustrate by the very handsomest similes), possessed this genius in common with his Grace; and was never so happy, or seen to so much advantage, as when he was employed in setting people by the ears.

His spirits, usually dull, then rose into the utmost gaiety and good-humour.