j jft A Sketch of the History Let. 7.

others of a more ancient date, determined him tothis alliance with France ; fince he contra&ed thetriple alliance within four or five months after thetwo events, I-have mentioned, happened. Whatthen did he mean ? Did he mean to acquire oneof the feven provinces, and divide them, as theDutch had twice treated for the divifion of theten, with France ? I believe not; but this Ibelieve, that his inclinations were favorable tothe popifh intereft in general, and that he meantto make himfelf more abfolute at home; that hethought it neceffary to this end to humble theDutch, to reduce their power, and perhaps tochange the form of their government: to deprivehis fubje&s of the correfpondence with a neigh-bouring proteftant and free ftate, and of all hopeof fuccour and fupport from thence in theiroppofition to him: in a word to abet the defignsof France on the continent, that France mightabet his defigns on his own kingdom'. This, Ifay, I believe; and this Iihould venture to affirm,if I had in my hands to produce, and was atliberty to quote, the private relations I have readformerly, drawn up by thofe who were no enemiesto fuch defigns, and on the authority of thofewho were parties to them. But whatever kingCharles the lecond meant, certain it is that hisconduct eftablifhed the fuperiority of France inEurope .

But this charge, however, muff not be confinedto him alone. Thofe who were nearer the danger,thofe who were expofed to the immediate attacks

of