the Low Countries: but it would make the matter much worse, if all those countries should be fain to submit to the tyranny of Lewis the Great, and he, by this means, should join Newport and Ostend * to Dunkirk; for then would Flushing follow by consequence, and that king be put into a condition to dispute the sovereignty of the sea with his British majesty, and destroy the navigation and commerce of this flourishing kingdom. Having got thus far, he would proceed to an intire conquest of the United Provinces; which point being once gained by him, England would have but little reason to flatter itself with the hopes of a better lot. Renowned Queen Elisabeth, of happy memory, was so sensible of what is here alledged, that she told Monsieur de Sully, the French King's ambassador at her majesty's court, that neither France, nor England, nor any other prince, or state whatsoever, ought to lay any claim to the Low Coun tries, and that she would never suffer the king, his master, to make the least attempt that way. Upon which Monsieur de Sully sent word to his master, Henry the Fourth,' That, notwithstanding the op posite sentiments of the queen, his majesty might, by means of great forces, keep his friends within their own bounds, and possess himself of such territories and cities in the Low-Countries, as should be neces sary to join France and the United Provinces wholly and inseparably together: which was, (said he) the only way to restore France to its primitive grandeur and glory, and pitch it above the rest of Christendom; for if, by any means, the provinces of Luxemburg, Juliers, Mark, Mons, Aix, and Cleves were once united to France, there was no doubt, but the rest of the country would be forced to follow their example, being deprived of all communication and cor respondence with the rest of the world. Sure it is France has always inclined this way, since they have observed, that they could not compass their design by Italy, as the Romans of old; which con. quest, tho' it be the interest of all princes of Europe to prevent, as much as in them lies; yet it is evident that these two states, who are nearer at hand, and can better do it, are the most of all concerned to put a stop to the progress of the French in the Low-Countries, which would not fail to be attended with dismal consequences to them, as before mentioned. As for Spain, it is a body deprived of the use of its limbs, and to which nothing remains but that of its tongue, viz. To pray and intreat its good friends and allies not to forsake it. But none can do more than England, towards the pre. servation of the Low Countries; and, if his British majesty had not promised to stand still, Luxemburg would still be in the state wherein it was formerly, and a bone for France to pick. The French king is so well aware of this, that he takes all the care he can to keep the King of England on his side, or, at least, to remain neuter, in case he will not declare himself for him. To which purpose he spares nothing, neither presents, pensions, nor arts, to keep all safe on that side. But, alas! this money, and those presents of France, are like a snake hid under rose-leaves. This is a smiling lip, which hereafter will prove a deadly sting They are iron chains ̧

As the scheme was laid by the French king this summer, 1744.

gilded over to deceive the eyes of those who now admire what here. after they will have occasion to lament, if they do not betimes discover the cheat of him, who designs to inslave them. England subsists by balancing the crown of France and Spain, and keeping them in equal poise; wherefore it must needs be the interest of that kingdom, by all means possible to prevent the Low-Countries from becoming an occasion to the over-weight of France, lest, by this means, it should be incapacitated to maintain the balance of Europe for time to come. For if ever, by ill fortune, the French king should make himself master of all the seventeen provinces, as it is his great aim, and may easily be brought to pass, if the States be not seconded, what condition will England then be in? France will be stronger than they at sea, and in the Indies, and consequently interrupt their commerce and navigation, by keeping a great fleet abroad, especially in the channel, so that nothing shall be able to stir out of the English havens, but by their leave; and, upon the least occasion, the total conquest of England must needs ensue, and that without remedy, there being no-body in a condition to stave off their final ruin.

Moreover, the true interest of England is to keep France low, as well to preserve the dominion of the sea, as to find a favourable occasion to recover those ancient dominions the French king keeps from them, as are the dukedoms of Bretagne, Normandy, Poictou, Languedoc, nay France itself; for of the marriage of the King of England with Margaret, daughter to Philip the Fair, was born Henry the Fifth, King of England, who had the same right to France as the Dauphin has to Spain. The three sons of King Philip the Fair, viz. Lewis Hutin, Philip the Tall, and Charles the Fair, died all without issue male; and it was not till after this, when the King of England prosecuted his right to the kingdom of France, that the Salick law was made, upon a speech of the Bishop of Beauvais's in the assembly of the states, in which he endeavoured to make out from an allusion to that place of the gospel, the lillies spin not:' that the crown of France ought not to fall to the distaff. But that law could not prescribe to time past, but only to that which was to come, and consequently could not invalidate the King of England's pretensions. After this, Henry the Fifth, entering France with a powerful army, and having defeated the French in several battles, married Catharine, daughter to Charles the Sixth, and, in the year 1441, it was concluded, that Henry should be King of France. Isabella also, who was Queen of France, and mother to Catharine Queen of England, made her last will in favour of her son-in-law, declaring him therein the sole heir of all her estate and of the crown, which increases the just pretensions, and strengthens the rights of England to the kingdom of France.

Had the French king but half the pretensions to England, which the King of England has to France, the world would soon hear of nothing but manifesto's to prove them just, as he calls all he does.

So that the King of England ought upon all occasions, and in all respects, to suspect France, and to beware of him as a most danger.

ous enemy, who flattered and humoured his late majesty, only to lull him asleep, that he might play his game without being disturbed or interrupted by him, who, whenever it shall please him to mind and be true to his own interest, will undoubtedly carry the greatest stroke in the affairs of Europe.

It is therefore no wonder, that King Lewis the Fourteenth spared nothing that might supply the necessities or provide for the pleasures of the late King Charles the Second, as Monsieur Barillon and the Dutchess of Portsmouth can witness. But I must tell you, that the French king considers no-body, whether prince or private person, any further than as they may be serviceable to promote his own ends; yea virtue itself is not esteemed by him, except it go hand in hand with his interest. Do but consider what account he made of the princes and princesses of England in Cromwell's time: Were they not obliged to quit France, and to seek for entertainment else. where? And it is notorious, that he never contributed any thing towards the late king's restoration, till it was past his skill to hinder it.

So that, upon the whole, neither the resentment of the royal family, nor the interest of England, will allow of such strict alliances with France, as might tie up the king of England's hands, and make him an idle spectator, whilst Lewis the Great makes himself master of the Low-Countries; but, on the contrary, he must always be ready to oppose any the least attempt he shall make toward it, making use in the mean time of the six regiments he has in Holland, which the States will not deny him on that account, till he can send some other troops over to Flanders. I am persuaded that those six regiments will be able to make head against double the number of Frenchmen; and, when England shall thus be pleased but to shew its teeth, all Europe will thereby be safe. Resist the Devil, and he will fly from you; but, if you fear him, he will make you his slaves.' France has cut out work enough for King James the Second, and the business that he hath taken in hand is so great, that many people fear, and others hope, he will never compass it. It is not a time to alter old laws, when the enemy is at the gates; it is not always seasonable for a king to act the missionary, but much more requisite that he shew himself a brave soldier and good politician. All the world was in expectation of great things from his majesty; his courage put all Europe in hopes of an universal relief, and some respite for Spain; but how has he frustrated and befooled their hopes, whilst his sole study is to please the Jesuits, and to kindle a fire in his own kingdom, which probably he will never be able to quench, when he would, as long as he dares not convene a free parliament.

As Spain became depopulated by the departure of the Moors, so is France greatly weakened and impoverished by the dragoon conversion, and flight of the protestants; and the French king would fain see England brought to the same pass. It is a presumption to rob God of his right, it is to him the honour of converting does belong, that work surpassing the power and activity of a creature.

King Charles the Second.

+ To preach religion to his subjects.

So, leaving that care to God, the King of England ought to lay out his endeavours about preserving his dominions from becoming a prey to that ambitious prince, by obliging him to keep within his own bounds, and not to incroach upon his neighbours territories; and, in so doing, the king will make good the hopes and expectation Europe has conceived of him.

The Designs of France against the United Provinces.

AFTER the States of the United Provinces had, by their powerful arms, constrained Spain to acknowledge them a free state, who owed allegiance to none but God alone, they were, for a time, the object of their neighbours admiration and envy, every one endeavouring to court and make alliances with this growing state, which began to be looked upon as the umpire of Europe; but this high reputation of theirs has suffered a notable eclipse since the war of 1672, when France, having brought them to the very brink of destruction, pleased himself with the thoughts of seeing them tumble headlong into the pit he had digged for them; neither would he have been mistaken in his hopes, had not the people given a sudden and unlooked for turn to the face of affairs, by declaring the Prince of Orange Stadtholder; the providence of Almighty God, at the same time, concurring with their endeavours, to preserve that small spot of ground, by confounding and daunting their enemies, who, after the taking of Naerden, were struck with such a panick fear, that they ran away, none pursuing them.

Now, what contributed most to the mischiefs, they were involved in at that time, was, that, besides the treasonable correspondences which France held with some principal members of that government, they had neither any good troops, nor a commander in chief, and, relying on the peace and fair promises of France, they were well nigh lulled asleep by that fatal melody, whilst that king was hard at work to undermine the foundation of their dear-bought liberties and government. We find in time of peace the soldiers grow idle, as well as their arms rusty. Ease pleaseth and flatters us, and men are soon persuaded to lay aside the exercise of arms, to betake them. selves to a more gainful way of living; so that, when the enemy approaches, they are readier to embrace shame, when joined with profit and pleasure, than to strive for glory, surrounded with diffi culties and dangers.

France knew very well, that, so long as the United Provinces had no general, that soldiery could not be but in a very bad condition, and incapable of defending them from the attempts of a powerful enemy; wherefore he took special care, by cunning practices and false suggestions (exasperating the minds of the opposite party) to prevent the Prince of Orange's being advanced to those places of trust and dignity, his Royal Highness is now so deservedly possessed of. By this means the States grew daily weaker and weaker, their

What clearer memorial would the Dutch have to bring them out of their present lethargy, when almost under the same delusion?

troops were dissipated, their fortifications neglected, their strongest holds went to decay, their magazines were unfurnished, whilst Francè was raising troops under-hand, and making secret alliances with England, the Elector of Cologne, and Bishop of Munster, in order to their final ruin. Du Plessis is much in the right, when he says, That a state is not to be judged strong or weak, but with relation to the strength or weakness of its neighbours; and that it is upon that score, that wise princes endeavour to keep themselves, as much as they can, in equal poise with their neighbours, to the end, they continue in peace and amity together; for, as soon as this fails, all peace and good correspondence are dissolved, as being only grounded upon a mutual fear or esteem for one another. Which is so true, that a prudent prince is always jealous of the least advance or motion of his neighbour, though in a time of truce or peace, and is continually upon his watch, endeavouring to be informed of his designs before they be brought forth; for, by this means, he puts him by his measures, and frustrates his purposes. In which point many princes and states, who are too saving, fail very oft; and this covetousness of theirs costs them and their people very dear, by occasioning a most expensive war, which, at the first, by precaution, might have been prevented with a small matter. France is so well informed of this truth, that they neglect nothing in such cases, and their ambassadors in all the courts of Europe are supplied with money for that very purpose, who, knowing they cannot please their master better, than by corrupting one or more of the ministers of the prince or state at whose court they reside, are day and night contriving for it, and spare nothing to bring it about. Yea, when it happens that they cannot prevail with the man himself they aim at, they endeavour to gain his wife, or, in case they chance to be so unhappy as to fail there also, they condescend to make their appli. cation to some of their children; nay, so humble are they, and such slaves to their master's ambition, that they will not stick to bribe their servants, and furnish them with money proportionable to the service they are able and willing to do them.

These are the maxims that speed their designs wonderfully well in such states as are governed by many heads, as the United Provinces ; which are a great bar to the French king in his aim of conquering the Spanish Netherlands, who very well knows, that, being master of the one, he cannot miss of the other. His great business there. fore is, to lull the States of the United Provinces asleep with a truce, which he will break, when he pleases, being in hopes that their forces will, in the mean time, be neglected, in laying out themselves wholly to propagate and encourage trade and navigation. For that king is well aware, that the States, being awake and standing on their guard, will never consent to his possessing himself of the Spanish Netherlands, at least they ought not to do it, since that is the only bar and rampart which hinders France from overwhelming them, which they ought, therefore, by all means to endeavour to preserve whole and intire, as one would his neighbour's house from being set on fire.