s g6 A Sketch of the History Let. 7.

then Richelieu engaged his matter, and profitedof every circumftance which the conjuncture afford-ed , to engage him with advantage. For, firft, hehad a double advantage by engaging fo late : thatof coming frelh into the quarrel againft a weariedand almoft exhaufted enemy; and that of yielding tothe impatience of his friends , who, preffed by theirneceffities and by the want they had of France , gavethis minifter an opportunity of laying thofe claimsand eftabliihing thofe pretenfions, in all his treatieswith Holland, Sweden , and the princes and ftatesof the empire, on which he had projected the futureaggrandizement of France . The manner in whichhe engaged, and the air that he gave to his en-gagement, were advantages of the fecond fort,advantages of reputation and credit ; yet werethefe of no fmall moment in the courfe of thewar, and operated ftrongly in favor of France ashe defigned they Ihould, even after his death,and at and after the treaties of Weftphalia. Hevarnilhed ambition with the moft plaufible andpopular pretences. The elector of Treves hadput himfelf under the protection of France : and ,if I remember right, he made this ftep when theemperor could not protect him againft the Swedes ,whom he had reafon to apprehend. No matter,the governor of Luxemburgh was ordered tofurprife Treves, and to feize the elector. Heexecuted his orders with fuceefs, and carried thisprince prifoner into Brabant. Richelieu feizedthe lucky circumftance; he reclaimed the eleCtor :and on the refufal of the cardinal infant, the war