CHARLES II. 6l

Charles had reason to apprehend the utmostdanger from the great, and still increasing, navalpower of that kingdom, joined to the weakcondition of the English fleet, no considerationwas able to rouse him from his present lethargy.

It is here we are to fix the point of thehighest exaltation , which the power of Lewisor that of any European prince, since the age ofCharlemagne, had ever attained. The monarch,most capable of opposing his progress was entirelyengaged in his interests; and the Turks, invitedby the malecontents of Hungary, were preparingto invade the emperor, and to disable that princefrom making head against the progress of theFrench power. Lewis may even be accused ofoversight, in not making sufficient advantage ofsuch favorable opportunities, which he was neverafterwards able to recal. But that monarch,though more governed by motives of ambitionthan by those of justice or moderation, was stillmore actuated by the suggestions of vanity. Hecontented himself with insulting and domineeringover all the princes and free states of Europe ;

contentant de la parole de fa majeste Britannique , d’agir a1'egard de fa majeste conformement aux obligations qu’il luiavoir. Le Sr. Hyde demand a que le roi s’engagea a ne pointattaquer les Pays-bas & meme-Strasbourg, temoignant quele roi fon maitre ne pourroit s’empecher de fecourir lesPays-bas, quand meme fonparlementneferoitpoint assemble.M. Barillon lui repondit en termes generaux par ordre du roi,que fa majeste if avoir point intention de rompre la paix,& qu’il n’engagcroit pas fa majeste Britannique ea chose*contraires a fes veritable* interets.

HAP

LXIX.

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