ough attended with some accidental and transient
disadvantages. He gave them to understand, that the king his master had
ordered the generals of his army carefully to avoid encroaching on the
territory of the republic, and transferring thither the theatre of the
war, when h in enemies retreated that way before they were forced to
pass the Ehine. After such unquestionable marks of regard, he said,
his king would have the justest ground of complaint, if, contrary to
expectation, he should hear that the artillery and stores belonging to
him were detained at Amsterdam. Thirdly, he declared that such detention
would be construed as a violation of the neutrality; and demanded, in
the name of the king his master, that the artillery and stores should,
without delay, be forwarded to Flanders by the canals of Amsterdam and
the inland navigation. This last argument was so conclusive, that they
immediately granted the necessary passports; in consequence of which the
cannon were conveyed to the Austrian Netherlands.

DEATH OF THE KING OF SPAIN.

The powers in the southern parts of Europe were too much engrossed with
their own concerns, to interest themselves deeply in the quarrels
that distracted the German empire. The king of Spain, naturally of a
melancholy complexion and delicate constitution, was so deeply affected
with the loss of his queen, who died in the course of the preceding
year, that he renounced all company, neglected all business, and immured
himself in a chamber at Villa-Viciosa, where he gave a loose to the most
extravagant sorrow. He abstained from food and rest until his strength
was quite exhausted. He would neither shift himself, nor allow his beard
to be shaved; he rejected all attempts of consolation; and remained
deaf to the most earnest and respectful remonstrances of those who had
a right to render their advice. In this case, the affliction of the mind
must have been reinforced by some peculiarity in the constitution. He
inherited a melancholy taint from his father, and this seems to have
been dreaded as a family disease; for the infant don Louis, who likewise
resided in the palace of Villa-Viciosa, was fain to amuse himself with
hunting and other diversions, to prevent his being infected with the
king's disorder, which continued to gain ground notwithstanding all the
efforts of medicine. The Spanish nation, naturally superstitious, had
recourse to saints and relics; but they seemed insensible to all