JAMES II.

149

resolutions against him. From a view of the stateof Europe during this period, it appears, thatLewis, besides sullying an illustrious reign, hadwantonly by this persecution raised invinciblebarriers to his arms, which otherwise it had beendifficult, if not impossible, to resist.

The prince of Orange knew how to availhimself of all these advantages. By his intriguesand influence there was formed at Augsburgh aleague, in which the whole empire united for itsdefence against the French monarch. Spain andHolland became parties in the alliance. The ac-cession of Savoy was afterwards obtained. Swedenand Denmark seemed to favor the same cause.But though these numerous states composed thegreater part of Europe, the league was still deemedimperfect and unequal to its end ; so long as Eng-land maintained that neutrality, in which she had-hitherto persevered.

James, though more prone to bigotry, wasmore sensible to his own and to national honorthan his brother; and had he not been restrainedby the former motive , he would have maintainedwith more spirit the interests and independenceof his kingdoms. When a prospect, therefore,appeared of effecting his religious schemes byopposing the progress of France , he was notaverse to that measure; and he gave his son-in-lawroom to hope, that, by concurring with hisviews in England, he might prevail with him tosecond those projects , which the prince was so.ambitious of promoting.

L 3

HAP.

LXXI.

IS83.