s we have a new life before us, and plenty of other
things to occupy our thoughts."

"What is it, father," Harry asked, "that the Swedes and Danes are
going to fight about?"

"It is a difficult question, Harry; but there can be little doubt
that Denmark is in the wrong. The King of Sweden died in April,
1697. His death was unfortunate, for the powers contending in
Europe had all agreed to refer their quarrels to his mediation. At
his death, Denmark endeavoured to obtain the honour, but failed;
and by the mediation, chiefly, of the Swedish regency, peace was
concluded between France, England, and Holland, in the autumn of
that year; and, shortly afterwards, the struggle between the German
Emperor, France, and Spain was also concluded, but not at all to
the satisfaction of the Swedish mediators.

"While Sweden was occupied in this matter of the pacification of
Europe, the King of Denmark thought to take advantage of the fact
that Charles of Sweden was but a minor, to press Frederick, Duke of
Holstein, who was in close alliance with him.

"There had long been serious differences between the rulers of
Denmark and Holstein, both of whom were branches of the Oldenburg
family, and this in reference to the Duchy of Schleswig. The
quarrel had arisen from the act of Christian the Third, of Denmark,
who decreed that the descendants of his brother Adolphus should
govern Holstein, jointly with the King of Denmark, and that
Holstein and Schleswig should belong to them in common, neither
making any change in Holstein without the consent of the other A
more foolish arrangement could not have been conceived, for anyone
might have foreseen that it would lead to disputes and troubles. In
fact, quarrels continually arose, until, at the Peace of Rosahild,
in 1658, the duchy was adjudged to Denmark.

"Holstein, however, never acquiesced in this, and in 1675 there was
war, when, Holstein being defeated, the Danes imprisoned its duke,
Christian Albertus, until he signed a renunciation of all his
rights.

"His troops were disarmed, and all his towns and fortresses
garrisoned by Danish troops. On his release, the duke went to
Hamburg, where he remained till, at the Peace of Fontainebleau,
four years later, he was replaced in possession of his estates and
rights of sovereignty.

"But this did not last long. New troubles arose, but Sweden,
England, and Holland interested themselves in favour of the duke,
and a peace was concluded in 168