war with Protestantism,
was shattered, and the Emperor of Germany was no longer the head of
Europe. Protestant England had sternly executed Charles I., and then
in the person of James II. had swept the last of the Catholic House
of Stuart out of her kingdom. France, on the foundation laid by
Richelieu, had developed into a powerful despotism, which her King,
Louis XIV., was making magnificent at home and feared abroad.

For Spain it had been a century of steady decline, with loss of
territory, power, and prestige. No longer great in herself, she was
regarded by her ambitious neighbor, Louis XIV., as only a make-weight
in the supremacy in Europe upon which he was determined. He had been
ravaging the enfeebled German Empire, and now a friendly fate opened
a peaceful door through which he might make Spain contribute to his
greatness.

Carlos II. died (1700) without an heir. There was a vacant throne in
Spain to which--on account of Louis' marriage, years before, with the
Spanish Princess Maria Theresa--his grandson Philip had now the
most valid claim. The other claimant, Archduke Karl, son of Leopold,
Emperor of Germany, in addition to having a less direct hereditary
descent, was unacceptable to the Spanish people, who had no desire to
be ruled again by an occupant of the Imperial throne of Germany.

So, as Louis wished it, and the Spanish people also wished it, there
was only one obstacle to his design; that was a promise made at the
time of his marriage that he would never claim that throne for himself
or his heirs. But when the Pope, after "prayerful deliberation,"
absolved him from that promise the way was clear. This grandson, just
seventeen years old, was proclaimed Philip V., King of Spain, and
Louis in the fullness of his heart exclaimed, "The Pyrenees have
ceased to exist!"

Perhaps it would have been better for the King if he had not made that
dramatic exclamation. A man who could remove mountains to make a path
for his ambitions might also drain seas! England took warning. She had
been quietly bearing his insults for a long time, and not till he had
impertinently threatened to place upon her throne the Pretender, the
exiled son of James II., had she joined the coalition against the
French King. But now she sent more armies, and a great captain
to re-enforce Prince Eugene, who was fighting this battle for the
Archduke Karl and for Europe.

But Louis had reached the summit. He was to go no higher than he ha