A Sketch oí the H i s T o R v

Let. 7.

176

ôthers of a more àncient date, determined him tothis alliance with France ; since he contracted thetriple alliance within four or five months aster thetwo events, I hâve mentioned, happened Whatthen did he mean ? Did he mean to acquire oneof the íeven provinces, and divide them, as theDutch ha d twice treated for the division of theten, with France ? I believe not; but this Ibelieve, that his inclinations were favorable tothe popifii interest in général, and that he meantto make himfelf more abíolute at home; that hethought it neceílary to this end to humble theDutch , to reduce their power, and perhaps tochange the form of their government: to deprivehis íubjects of the correspondence with a neigh-bouring protestant and free state, and of ail hopeof succour and support from thence in theiropposition to him: in a word to abet the designsof France on the continent, that France mightabet his designs on his own kingdom. This, Iíay, l believe; and this ï flxould venture to affirm,if I had in my hands to produce, and was atliberty to quote, the private relations I hâve readformerly, drawn up by thoíe who were no enemiesto sueh designs, and on the authority of thosewho were parties to them. But whatever king.Charles the second meant, certain it is that hiscondnct establiíhêd the supêriority of France inEurope .

But this charge, however, must notbe confinedto him aìone. Those who were nearer the danger,those who were exposed to the immédiate attacks

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