than perhaps I needed upon this account, that your lordship may be so too in your remarks upon it; and because I would be glad to know whether his Majesty approves of my manner in my setting out, both from what he found in my last letter, and in this; for, if he does, it will be easy for me to go the same train without asking further directions; or, if there be any thing I must alter, it may be better now than later."

The acquaintance between Temple and William, the future King of England, though less important in a political point of view, is a considerable circumstance in our biography.

"Yesterday morning," continues Temple, "I sent my compliments to the Prince, and desired an hour of waiting upon him; he excused it that day, on account of his being just ready to go a hunting, and desired it might be at five this afternoon, because he thought about that time he should be alone.

"At noon, the master of the ceremonies (or rather, I think, some other title they have for it) came to me from the States, with a large compliment upon my arrival, and an offer, if desired, to remain any time incognito at the Hague before my entry that I would come freely into the Hôtel des Ambassadeurs, though it was not usual before that ceremony was past, and that afterwards I would make use of it as long as I pleased, till I found a house fit for me. I gave them my thanks, and excused my not having given them advice of my coming, and accepted the offer of their house,

where I think to go late in the evening, and then make all visits incognito, as much as if my audience of entry were passed, for which I am, as far as I can, bringing all pieces together."*

There was nothing remarkable in his interview with the Prince, whom he found "much improved since last winter;" and who with difficulty accepted the honours which the English ambassador was instructed to pay him.† Temple was cautioned not to let the Prince's "courtesy overrule the order" he had received.‡

Subsequent letters illustrate Temple's opinion of the Prince, upon a further acquaintance.

66

Upon Tuesday very late, the Prince returned to this place, so privately, that I knew nothing of it till the next afternoon, and then sent to welcome him, and to desire a time of waiting on him, which was given me the next day. I found no man with him but M. De Witt, who immediately went out as I came in, only saluting me very kindly, and saying he was very glad to leave the Prince in so good hands. I performed my ceremonies according to my orders, though with much defence on the Prince's side, saying still, he knew what he owed to an ambassador of the King's. I was with him long and alone, which, I believe, I owed rather to M. De Witt than his governor, who had ever been very diligent before in all our encounters, and to say truth, had good grace on the Pensioner's

* Aug. 30.

† Aug. 31.

Sel. Let. 71.

Sel. Let. 73,

Arlington, Aug. 28. 1668, p. 345. Wicquefort, p. 201.

side; and I hope to live well with them both, employing it, as I have told each of them I will, to increase the Prince's confidence in the person of M. De Witt, and his of the Prince; and both endeavoured, while I am here, to do the Prince all such good offices with the states of Holland as may stand with the constitution of their government, and dispose the Prince to think his greatest advantage consists in the united affections of this commonwealth. And in this delicate pace* I am fallen upon, this is all the fineness I can find out to trust to, since I am of opinion it is neither the King's business nor the Prince's to embroil things here if they could; for if the Prince had need of a motto he would be known by on any public occasion, and would employ me to make one he thought fittest for his affairs, it should be Potius inservire patriæ liberæ quam dominari servienti.”+

Again, "I find him in earnest a most extreme hopeful Prince, and to speak more plainly, something much better than I expected, and a young man of more parts than ordinary, and of the better sort; that is, not lying in that kind of wit which is neither of use to one's self nor to any body else, but in good plain sense, with show of application if he had business that deserved it, and that with extreme good agreeable humour and dispositions ; and thus far of his way without any vice. Besides, being sleepy always by ten o'clock at night, and

* Temple often uses this word with the meaning (or nearly so) of the French pas.

+ Hague, Oct. 12. Sel. Let. p. 83.

loving hunting as much as he hates swearing, and preferring Cock ale before any sort of wine. I thought it not impertinent at once to give you his picture, which the little lines are to make like rather than the great ones, and the rather because your lordship, I remember, was inquiring after it, when I could not give it but very imperfectly. His person, I think you know, is very good, and has much of the princess in it; and never any body raved so much after England, as well the language as all else that belonged to it."*

As for De Witt, while the government expressed their satisfaction at his friendly tone, they fairly observed, that the connection would not be sufficiently cemented, until all points were adjusted as to the marine treaty, and the payment of the money by Spain to Sweden. A fresh instruction was given to Temple, in which we perceive the beginning of those extensive and varied negotiations concerning Spain, which led ultimately to the Succession War, and the peace of Utrecht: "If you have not done it already, pray take the first occasion to engage De Witt upon the discussion of what plea the States will take, in case the King of Spain dies, which would certainly change the face of all the affairs of Christendom; and, by the report of his weak constitution, is not unlikely to happen. And be not content with a superficial answer from him relating to the league, but press him to say what were further to be wished by us in common in such a case." †

I

* Hague, Feb. 3. 1669. Sel. Let. p. 110.

† Arl. 346.

CHAPTER XII.

DISCUSSIONS. -MARINE TREATY. — TEMPLE'S PUBLIC ENTRY.

HIS SPEECH. SPECULATIONS. -NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPAIN AND SWEDEN ON THE GUARANTY AND SUBSIDY. - D'ISOLA THE AUSTRIAN MINISTER. - TRIPLE ALLIANCE IN DANGER.

1668-1669.

THE ambassador now commenced his regular discussions with the Dutch minister.

With a view to the conciliation which he so much desired, it was important to remove the causes of discontent which existed in matters of trade and maritime rights.

Among these were the pretensions of the Dutch in reference to the East Indian seas, which, according to our East India Company, tended to exclude from these seas the commerce of all European nations. The particulars of these disputes are complicated and uninteresting*, nor did Temple ascribe much importance to them, except as they were connected with the larger questions of policy. According to him, "the noise made about the marine treaty," and the insinuation, that nothing but subtilty and injustice could be

*For some particulars see Bruce's Annals of the East India Com