6 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

chap. conducted by the most celebrated generals of thein. age , were foiled in every encounter , and all»6zo. Germany was over-run in an instant by thevictorious Swede. But by this extraordinary andunexpected success of his ally, Charles failed ofthe purpose , for which he framed the alliance.Gustavus, elated by prosperity , began to formmore extensive plans of ambition; and in freeingGermany from the yoke of Ferdinand, he intendedto reduce it to subjection under his own. Herefused to restore the Palatine to his principality,except on conditions, which would have kept himin total dependence 4 . And thus the negociationwas protracted; till the battle of Lutzen , wherethe Swedish monarch perished in the midst of acomplete victory , which he obtained over hisenemies.

WE have carried on these transactions a fewyears beyond the present period, that we mightnot be obliged to return to them; nor be hence-forth interrupted in our account of Charles’s courtand kingdoms.

State ofthe When we consider Charles as presiding in hiscourt and court, as associating with his family , it is difficultministry. tQ imagine a character at once more respectable,and more amiable. A kind husband, an indulgentfather, a gentle master, a steadfast friend; to allthese eulogies, his conduct in private life fullyentitled him, As a monarch too , in the exteriorqualities, he excelled; in the essential, he was not

* Franklyn, vol. i. p. 415.

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