While Temple was thus rejecting the overtures of the House of Austria, the ambassador of France complained to De Witt that the French were not regarded as formerly. "De Witt told him, it was from an incurable cause, in case the French designs upon Flanders should continue to give them jealousy. From Spain, in the height of its monarchy, they could never fear so much in Flanders as they had reason to do from France, in case they were possessed of it, since all forces must come to it by sea from Spain, whereas France might march to their frontiers with 100,000 men; and therefore he might reckon upon it, that, while they had any strength of their own and support of their allies, they would do all they could to avoid such a neighbourhood; and he thought it best to tell him plainly, on his first arrival, what he would find here in his whole negotiation. The ambassador said it was very hard they should prefer the neighbourhood of their oldest and greatest enemies before that of their best and firmest friends." To the assurance which followed, of intentions entirely pacific, the Dutchman answered, that "he was very glad to hear it, but hoped he might be excused if he did not take his measures wholly by it, by reason of an unhappiness that M. D'Estrades had fallen into here, of giving him the same assurance in writing, by the express command of his master, just about the same time that he saw his manifesto to Spain, upon which the war broke out."*

The Frenchman was just candid enough to avoid a positive disclaimer of further projects in Flanders; "but added, with somewhat less of sincerity, that his master prayed for the King of Spain's life, and so thought nothing of what was to be done in the event of his death.

CHAPTER XIII.

Charles's Secret Negotiations With Louis. — FluctuAting COUNSELS OF ENGLAND. MISSION OF WARDEN.—

TREATIES OR GUARANTY, CONCERT AND SUBSIDY. ARLINGTON'S VACILLATIONS, AND TEMPLE'S DIFFICULTIES.

1669—1670.

.temple now received information which threatened him with the fulfilment of the forebodings, which the state of the court and ministry had excited, before he left England.

In one of his friendly visits, De Witt related a conversation which he had had with M. PurTendorfF*, a Swedish agent, lately arrived from Paris. From him he learnt that, in order to deter the Swedes from adhering to the Triple Alliance, the French ministers had told him that "England would certainly fail them, and was already changed in the course of all those counsels which they had taken with Holland and Sweden, though they did not think fit to let any thing of it appear; and the secret was yet in very few hands, either in the French or the English courts:" and Mr. PufFendorffhad seen a letter from M. Colbert, the French minister in London, to M. Turenne, in which, speaking of the English ministers, he says, "Etje leur ai enfinfait sentir toute Ptiendue de la KbSralite de sa MajestG."*

We of this age know, much better than Temple knew, the progress of these disgraceful intrigues. "We have already seen Charles apologising to Louis for the Triple Alliance: he soon endeavoured, through various channels, to renew his intimate connection with Louis, who scarcely, however, met him half way: yet some progress had been made at this time.t The particulars and the extent of the corruption of the English court have not, perhaps, been precisely ascertained; it is enough for the present, that the information of M. PufFendorff, as to the projected abandonment of the Triple Alliance, was undeniably correct.

Yet, while all these negotiations with France were proceeding, Temple was allowed to sign, on the 7th of May, 1669, a treaty, whereby the dominions of Spain were guaranteed to her, on her engaging to make a payment to Sweden of 48,000 crowns.t

Sir William Temple took no notice of De Witt's communication, in his correspondence with Arlington. It may perhaps have induced him to reiterate in strong language his censure of the pertinacity displayed in the affair of the marine treaty. "They who influenced our merchants in this prosecution, either have no meaning this treaty should end fairly, and so they put it obstinately upon that single point, and in that form, which they know will never be granted; or else they aim at gaining an occasion for new disputes with the Dutch whenever they find a conjuncture for it." Again, "I cannot but interpret this as the effect of their distaste for or envy at the King's present ministry, and the course of his counsels, which have not gained greater honour abroad, nor perhaps safety and good-will at home, by any thing than by our late alliances, so renowned here, and thereby the stop we have given to the progress of the French greatness. And therefore it must come from the influence of some, who would be glad to see not only our alliance shaken or changed abroad, but our ministry at home too." * ..." If your lordship should imagine any particular envy or pique at my employment here may have contributed to the difficulties which have succeeded in this business, and that our merchants, or those that influence them, believe it would thrive better in any other hands, I will beg of you not to be swayed by considerations of kindness for me, in a matter of public concernment; nor to fear that, whenever this employment falls, you shall be troubled with me at