178 A. D. LATTER DAYS OF LOUIS. Ch. 15 the vanity of this world. None of the courtiers, by whom he was surrounded, could he trust, and all his experiences led to 1715. a disbelief in human virtue. He saw, with shame, that his palaces, his wars, and his pleasures, had consumed the resources of the nation, and had sowed the seeds of a fearful revolution. His love of pomp survived other weaknesses, but the pageantry of Versailles was a poor antidote to the sorrows which bowed his head to the ground, except on those great public occasions when pride triumphed over grief. Every day, in his last years, something occurred to wound his vanity, death. and to alienate him from all the world but Madame de His Maintenon, the only being whom he fully trusted, and who did not leceive him. The humiliated monarch had now become an object of pity as well as of reproach, and his death, which occurred in the year 1715, was a relief to himself, as well as to his family. REFERENCES.-Sismondi's "History" is perhaps the best on the whole, but the student may also consult, with advantage, Memoires de Madame de Motéville, Abbé de Choisy, Madame de Maintenon, and de la Rochefoucauld; also "Louis XIV. et son Siècle;" "Histoire de l'Edit de Nentz;" "Journal de Daugeau;" and "Histoire de Port Royal" THE BALANCE OF POWER. 179 CHAPTER XVI. WARS IN EUROPE AGAINST LOUIS XIV., TO PRESERVE THE most striking feature in the political history of Europe during the 17th century was, a struggle to maintain the balance of power. This was the real cause of the various wars against the House of Austria, which took place after the Reformation, as well as of those which were waged at a later date against Louis XIV. These wars were neither fruitful in examples of romantic heroism, nor marked by fanatical excesses. But they produced great political combinations, developed unknown national resources, led to great improvements in military science, and gave immortal fame to a new class of military heroes. Ch. 16 A. D. 1665 to 1713. Idea of lence of P wer. The idea of a balance of power probably originated with Francis I., when he sought to suppress the overgrown ascend- a baency of the Emperor Charles V.; but it was more distinctly developed by Henry IV., and by Cardinal Richelieu, when they aimed to humiliate the power of Austria. Gustavus Adolphus had this object also in view when he engaged in his great conflict with Austria, to secure the religious liberties of Protestants. It need not be added, that since the Papacy has ceased to be the great central power of Christendom, the European nations have attached great political importance to the maintenance of this salutary check, and have seldom failed to embark in war when any monarch has endangered the general interest, by encroaching upon established boundaries. It was on this principle that Europe at a later time armed itself against Napoleon, as it had formerly done 180 CONQUEST OF FLANDERS. A. D. Ch. 16 against Louis XIV., and still earlier against Austria. The present war against Russia is based on the same principle,— 1665, that of crippling a potentate whose ascendency is dangerous, or who aims recklessly at self aggrandisement. Military ainbition of The great series of European wars against the Austrian Emperors, whose power was probably exaggerated, was brought to a close by the Treaty of Westphalia, in 1648, which is the foundation of all modern treaties, and by which the various limits of the European States were definitely fixed. As soon, however, as Louis XIV. began to enjoy the consciousness of absolute authority, he became inflated with a Louis. passion for military glory, which quickly led to disturbance in the relations of Europe. Seventeen years had passed away since the peace of Westphalia, during which the industrial resources of the kingdom had been rapidly developed. With an overflowing treasury, and ample means of war, he resolved upon the conquest of Flanders, a Province which then belonged to the Spanish Monarchy. The pretence on which he founded this aggression was an untenable claim to the Flemish territories, based on an obsolete law of Brabant (1549), by which property passed to children on the death of either of their parents,—a law which had reference only to private individuals in the Low Countries, and was intended to discourage second marriages. Now it had happened that the wife of Louis XIV., Marie Therese, Pretext was the daughter and only child of Philip IV. of Spain, by for war. his first marriage; although, by his second marriage with Marie Anne of Austria, he left a son, Charles, who was, according to the Spanish laws, and the general principles of inheritance, sole heir to all the territories of the Spanish Monarchy. Pretending that his wife was heir to the Flemish territories by the above-mentioned law, Louis resolved to wrest them from the King of Spain. Unfortunately, Flanders was at this time deprived of allies. Her nearest neighbour, Holland, was in close alliance with the French King, and even embroiled in a miserable commercial THE PRINCE OF CONDE. 181 war with England. Holland was then ruled by the Pensionary Ch. 16 De Witt, who had an enthusiastic admiration for Louis XIV. A. D. The Low Countries, abandoned to their fate, were consequently 1665 easily overrun by overwhelming armies. Such cities as Char- to leroi, Tournay, Courtrai, Douai, and Lille, were able to make 1668 but a feeble resistance. The Spaniards had scarcely eight Situathousand men to oppose to three large armies, composing alto- tion of gether sixty thousand men, and commanded by such generals the con.. tending as Turenne, D'Aumont, and Créqui. But even these did not parties. succeed in taking Brussels and Antwerp. The courtiers and flatterers of the French King affected, however, to regard the conquest as one of unprecedented brilliancy, and Louis quitted the camp to receive the adulations of his mistresses, and to superintend fêtes in honor of his victories. The only brilliant achievement of the war was an expedition of the Prince of Condé, in Franche Compté, part of the old province of Burgundy, on the confines of Switzerland, which was overrun in fourteen days. of The hero of the conquest, if such it may be designated, was The the great Condé, so called from the successes of his early life. Prince He was first Prince of the blood, and, when only twenty-two Condé. years of age, had been entrusted with an army by Cardinal Mazarin, who perceived his great abilities. But his character did not inspire so much respect as his genius. He joined the party of the Fronde, in order to acquire a dangerous ascendency in the government; and, when foiled in his efforts, he became a traitor to his country, and fought under the banners of Spain. He was proud, passionate, and rapacious. He lived at Chantilly, in almost regal splendor, disliked by the King, who was at the same time unwilling to dispense with his services. The minister Louvois favored him, from jealousy of Turenne, whom he wished to humiliate. of the The rapid conquest of Flanders, so unexpected and unjusti- Results fiable, awakened the fears, and excited the indignation of conEurope, and led to a general league against Louis XIV., at quest the head of which was William, Prince of Orange. Though 182 A. D. to THE LEAGUE. Ch. 16 young, he at once penetrated the motives of the French King, and resolved to arrest his course. His chief difficulty was in 1668 undeceiving De Witt, who, though a great patriot, was utterly blind to the intentions of Louis XIV. At last, an obvious 1672. political necessity overpowered private friendships, and both Holland and England entered the league. So powerful was the confederacy, that Louis deemed it wise to yield, and the peace of Aix la Chapelle was concluded in 1668. Louis XIV. League This peace was, however, only a truce. Louis had but stifled against his resentments, in order to prepare for more vigorous war. His anger now was excited against Holland,- -a State he had supposed favorable to his views. But Holland had now discerned that her true policy was to unite with England, both as a Protestant State, and as a main bulwark of liberty in Europe. Louis, from a feeling of revenge, as well as of ambition, now aimed to unite Holland to the throne of France. His re- He dissembled his schemes for four years, and succeeded in deceiving everybody, except William of Orange, who had rations. lately been appointed Captain General of the Dutch republic. newed prepa Attack on Hol. land. Unfortunately, the United Provinces were at this time divided The It burst out in awful fury in the spring of 1672. The French forces numbered nearly two hundred thousand men, commanded by Condé, Turenne, Créqui, Vauban, and Luxembourg, and were stimulated to enthusiasm by the presence of the Monarch himself. To these armies Holland could oppose but twenty-five thousand inexperienced soldiers, commanded by a young man only twenty-two years of age. Louis, consequently, without opposition, easily made his boasted pas |