concerned.
It was their opinion, that by keeping aloof she might render herself
more respectable. Her reserve would overawe contending powers; they
would in their turn sue for her assistance, and implore her good
offices; and, instead of declaring herself a party, she would have the
honour to decide as arbitress of their disputes. Perhaps they extended
this idea too far; and, in all probability, their notions were inflamed
by a spirit of faction. They hated the whigs as their political
adversaries, and detested the war, because it had been countenanced
and supported by the interest of that party. The king believed that a
conjunction of the two monarchies of France and Spain would prove fatal
to the liberties of Europe; and that this could not be prevented by
any other method than a general union of the other European powers. He
certainly was an enthusiast in his sentiments of this equilibrium; and
fully convinced that he himself, of all the potentates in Christendom,
was the only prince capable of adjusting the balance. The imperial
ambassador could not therefore be long ignorant of his real purpose, as
he conversed with the Dutch favourites, who knew and approved of their
master's design, though he avoided a declaration until he should have
rendered his ministers more propitious to his aim. The true secret,
however, of that reserve with which count Wratislaw was treated at his
first arrival, was a private negotiation which the king had set on foot
with the regency of Spain, touching a barrier in the Netherlands. He
proposed that certain towns should be garrisoned with English and Dutch
troops, by way of security against the ambitious designs of France; but
the regency were so devoted to the French interest, that they refused
to listen to any proposal of this nature. While this affair was in
agitation, William resolved to maintain a wary distance from the
emperor; but when his efforts miscarried, the ambassador found him much
more open and accessible.*

* This year was distinguished by a glorious victory which
the young king of Sweden obtained in the nineteenth year of
his age. Riga continued invested by the king of Poland,
while Peter the czar of Muscovy made his approaches to
Narva, at the head of a prodigious army, purposing, in
violation of all faith and justice, to share the spoils of
the youthful monarch. Charles landed at Revel, compelled the
Saxons to abandon the siege of