Unhappilythiszealwasneitherwellconducted，norwellseconded。Itwaszealwithoutsuccessinthefirstofthetwowarsthatfollowedtheyearonethousandsixhundredandeighty-eight；andzealwithoutknowledge，inbothofthem。Ienterintonodetailconcerningtheeventsofthesetwowars。
　　ThisonlyIobserveonthefirstofthem，thatthetreatiesofRyswicwerefarfromansweringtheendsproposedandtheengagementstakenbythefirstgrandalliance。ThepowerofFrance，withrespecttoextentofdominionsandstrengthofbarrier，wasnotreducedtothetermsofthePyreneantreaty，nonottothoseofthetreatyofNimeguen。Lorrainwasrestoredindeedwithveryconsiderablereserves，andtheplacestakenorusurpedontheothersideoftheRhine：butthenStrasburgwasyieldedupabsolutelytoFrancebytheemperor，andbytheempire。TheconcessionstoSpainweregreat，butsoweretheconquestsandtheencroachmentsmadeuponherbyFrance，sincethetreatyofNimeguen：andshegotlittleatRyswic，IbelievenothingmorethanshehadsavedatNimeguenbefore。Alltheseconcessions，however，aswellastheacknowledgmentofkingWilliam，andothersmadebyLouistheFourteenthafterhehadtakenAthandBarcelona，evenduringthecourseofthenegotiations，comparedwiththelossesandrepeateddefeatsofthealliesandtheillstateoftheconfederacy，surprisedthegeneralityofmankind，whohadnotbeenaccustomedtosomuchmoderationandgenerosityonthepartofthisprince。ButthepretensionsofthehouseofBourbonontheSpanishsuccessionremainedthesame。Nothinghadbeendonetoweakenthem；nothingwaspreparedtoopposethem：andtheopeningofthissuccessionwasvisiblyathand；forCharlestheSecondhadbeeninimmediatedangerofdyingaboutthistime。Hisdeathcouldnotbearemoteevent：andallthegoodqueen’sendeavorstobegotwithchildhadprovedineffectual。Theleaguedissolved，alltheforcesoftheconfederatesdispersed，andmanydisbanded；Francecontinuingarmed，herforcesbyseaandlandincreasedandheldinreadinesstoactonalsides，itwasplainthattheconfederateshadfailedinthefirstobjectofthegrandalliance，thatofreducingthepowerofFrance；
　　bysucceedinginwhichalonetheycouldhavebeenabletokeepthesecondagreement，thatofsecuringthesuccessionofSpaintothehouseofAustria。
　　Afterthepeace，whatremainedtobedone；inthewholenatureofthingsthereremainedbutthree。ToabandonallcareoftheSpanishsuccessionwasone；tocompoundwithFranceuponthissuccessionwasanother；andtoprepare，likeher，duringtheintervalofpeace，tomakeanadvantageouswarwheneverCharlestheSecondshoulddie，wasathird。NowthefirstofthesewastoleaveSpain，and，inleavingSpain，toleaveallEuropeinsomesortatthemercyofFrance；sincewhateverdispositiontheSpaniardsshouldmakeoftheircrown，theywerequiteunabletosupportitagainstFrance；sincetheemperorcoulddolittlewithouthisallies；andsinceBavaria，thethirdpretender，coulddostillless，andmightfind，insuchacase，hisaccountperhapsbetterintreatingwiththehouseofBourbonthanwiththatofAustria。
　　Moreneedsnotbesaidonthishead；butontheothertwo，whichIshallconsidertogether，severalfactsarepropertobementioned，andseveralreflectionsnecessarytobemade。
　　Wemighthavecounter-worked，nodoubt，intheirownmethodsofpolicy，thecouncilsofFrance，whomadepeacetodissolvetheconfederacy，andgreatconcessions，withverysuspiciousgenerosity，togaintheSpaniards：wemighthavewaited，likethem，thatisinarms，thedeathofCharlestheSecond，andhavefortifiedinthemeantimethedispositionsoftheking，thecourtandpeopleofSpain，againstthepretensionsofFrance：wemighthavemadethepeace，whichwasmadesometimeafterthat，betweentheemperorandtheTurks，andhaveobligedtheformeratanyratetohavesecuredthepeaceofHungary，andtohaveprepared，bytheseandotherexpedients，forthewarthatwouldinevitablybreakoutonthedeathofthekingofSpain。
　　Butallsuchmeasureswererenderedimpracticable，bytheemperorchiefly。
　　Experiencehadshown，thatthepowerswhoengagedinalliancewithhimmustexpecttotakethewholeburdenofhiscauseuponthemselves；andthatHungarywouldmaintainaperpetualdiversioninfavorofFrance，sincehecouldnotresolvetolightenthetyrannicalyokehehadestablishedinthatcountryandinTransylvania，norhisministerstopartwiththeimmenseconfiscationstheyhadappropriatedtothemselves。Pastexperienceshowedthis：andtheexperiencethatfollowedconfirmeditveryfatally。Butfurther；therewasnotonlylittleassistancetobeexpectedfromhimbythosewhoshouldengageinhisquarrel：hedidthemhurtofanotherkind，anddeprivedthemofmanyadvantagesbyfalsemeasuresofpolicyandunskilfulnegotiations。WhilstthedeathofCharlestheSecondwasexpectedalmostdaily，thecourtofViennaseemedtohaveforgotthecourtofMadrid，andallthepretensionsonthatcrown。WhentheCountd’Harrachwassentthither，theimperialcouncilsdidsomethingworse。ThekingofSpainwasreadytodeclarethearchdukeCharleshissuccessor；hewasdesiroustohavethisyoungprincesentintoSpain：
　　thebentofthepeoplewasinfavorofAustria，orithadbeenso，andmighthavebeeneasilyturnedthesamewayagain：atcourtnocabalwasyetformedinfavorofBourbon，andaveryweakintriguewasonfootinfavoroftheelectoralprinceofBavaria。NotonlyCharlesmighthavebeenonthespotreadytoreapthesuccession，butaGermanarmymighthavebeentheretodefendit；forthecourtofMadridinsistedonhavingtwelvethousandofthesetroops，and，ratherthannothavethem，offeredtocontributetothepaymentofthemprivately。becauseitwouldhavebeentoounpopularamongtheSpaniards，andtooprejudicialtotheAustrianinterest，tohavehaditknownthattheemperordeclinedthepaymentofabodyofhisowntroopsthatweredemandedtosecurethemonarchytohisson。Theseproposalswerehalfrefused，andhalfevaded：andinreturntotheofferofthecrownofSpaintothearchduke，theimperialcouncilsaskedthegovernmentofMilanforhim。TheythoughtitapointofdeeppolicytosecuretheItalianprovinces，andtoleavetoEnglandandHollandthecareoftheLowCountries，ofSpain，andtheIndies。BydecliningtheseproposalsthehouseofAustriarenouncedinsomesortthewholesuccession：atleastshegaveEnglandandHollandreasons，whateverengagementsthesepowershadtaken，torefusethehardertaskofputtingherintopossessionbyforce；whenshemight，andwouldnot，procuretotheEnglishandDutch，andherotherallies，theeasiertaskofdefendingherinthispossession。
　　Isaidthatthemeasuresmentionedaboutwererenderedimpracticable，bytheemperorchiefly，becausetheywererenderedsolikewisebyothercircumstancesatthesameconjuncture。AprincipaloneIshallmention，anditshallbedrawnfromthestateofourowncountry，andthedispositionofourpeople——
　　LetustakethisupfromkingWilliam’saccessiontoourcrown。DuringthewholeprogressthatLouistheFourteenthmadetowardssuchexorbitantpower，asgavehimwell-groundedhopesofacquiringatlasttohisfamilytheSpanishmonarchy，EnglandhadbeeneitheranidlespectatorofallthatpassedontheContinent，orafaintanduncertainallyagainstFrance，orawarmandsureallyonherside，orapartialmediatorbetweenherandthepowersconfederatedintheircommondefence。Therevolutionproducedasgreatachangeinourforeignconduct，asinourdomesticestablishment：andournationengagedwithgreatspiritinthewarofonethousandsixhundredandeighty-eight。Butthenthisspiritwasrash，presumptuous，andignorant，illconductedathome，andillsecondedabroad：allwhichhasbeentouchedalready。WehadwagednolongwarsontheContinent，norbeenverydeeplyconcernedinforeignconfederacies，sincethefourteenthandfifteenthcenturies。
　　ThehistoryofEdwardtheThird，however，andofthefirsttwelveorfifteenyearsofHenrytheSixthmighthavetaughtussomegeneralbutusefullessons，drawnfromremotetimes，butapplicabletothepresent。SomighttheexampleofHenrytheEighth，whosquanderedawaygreatsumsfortheprofitoftalkingatown，orthehonorofhavinganemperorinhispay；andwhodividedafterwardsbytreatythekingdomofFrancebetweenhimselfandCharlestheFifth，withsuccesssolittleanswerabletosuchanundertaking，thatitishardtobelievehisimperialandEnglishmajestywerebothinearnest。Iftheywereso，theywereboththebubblesoftheirpresumption。ButitseemsmorelikelythatHenrytheEighthwasbubbledonthisoccasionbythegreathopesthatCharlesheldouttoflatterhisvanity：ashehadbeenbubbledbyhisfather-in-lawFerdinand，atthebeginningofhisreign，inthewarofNavarre。Butthesereflectionswerenotmade，norhadweenoughconsideredtheexampleofElizabeththelastofourprinceswhohadmadeanyconsiderablefigureabroad，andfromwhomwemighthavelearnedtoactwithvigor，buttoengagewithcaution，andalwaystoproportionourassistanceaccordingtoourabilities，andtherealnecessitiesofourallies。ThefrontiersofFrancewerenowsofortified，hercommerceandhernavalforceweresoincreased，herarmiesweregrownsonumerous，hertroopsweresodisciplined，soinuredtowar，andsoanimatedbyalongcourseofsuccessfulcampaigns，thattheywholookedonthesituationofEuropecouldnotfailtoseehowdifficulttheenterpriseofreducingherpowerwasbecome。difficultasitwas，wewereobliged，oneveryaccountandbyreasonsofallkinds，toengageinit：butthenweshouldhaveengagedwithmoreforecast，andhaveconductedourselvesinthemanagementofit，notwithlessalacrityandspirit，butwithmoreorder，moreeconomy，andabetterapplicationofourefforts。Buttheywhogovernedweregladtoengageasatanyrate；andweenteredonthisgreatschemeofaction，asournationistooapttodo，hurriedonbytherulingpassionoftheday。Ihavebeentoldbyseveral，whowereonthestageoftheworldatthistime，thatthegeneralityofourpeoplebelieved，andwereencouragedtobelieve，thewarcouldnotbelong，ifthekingwasvigorouslysupported：andthereisahumdrumspeechofaspeakerofthehouseofcommons，Ithink，whohumblydesiredhismajestytotakethisopportunityofreconqueringhisancientduchyofAquitain。Weweresoonawakenedfromthesegaudydreams。InsevenoreightyearsnoimpressionhadbeenmadeonFrance，thatwasbesiegedasitwereoneveryside：andafterrepeateddefeatsintheLowCountries，wherekingWilliamlaidtheprincipalstressofthewar，hissoletriumphwastheretakingNamur，thathadbeentakenbytheFrenchafewyearsbefore。Unsustainedbysuccessabroad，wearenottowonderthatthespiritflaggedathome；
　　northatthediscontentsofthosewhowereaversetotheestablishedgovernment，unitingwiththefargreaternumberofthosewhodislikedtheadministration，inflamedthegeneraldiscontentsofthenation，oppressedwithtaxes，pillagedbyusurers，plunderedatsea，anddisappointedatland。Aswerunintoextremesalways，somewouldhavecontinuedthiswaratanyrate，evenatthesamerate，butitwasnotpossibletheyshouldprevailinsuchasituationofaffairs，andsuchadispositionofminds——Theywhonotbythewar，andmadeimmensefortunesbythenecessitiesofthepublic，werenotsonumerousnorsopowerful，astheyhavebeensince。Themoneyedinterestwasnotyetarivalabletocopewiththelandedinterest，eitherinthenationorinparliament。Thegreatcorporationsthathadbeenerectedmoretoservetheturnofparty，thanforanyrealnationaluse，aimedindeedeventhenatthestrengthandinfluencewhichtheyhavesinceacquiredinthelegislature；
　　buttheyhadnotmadethesameprogressbypromotingnationalcorruption，astheyandthecourthavemadesince。Inshort，theotherextremeprevailed。
　　Thegeneralityofpeoplegrewasfondofgettingoutofthewar，astheyhadbeenofenteringintoit：andthusfarperhaps，consideringhowithadbeenconducted，theywerenotmuchtobeblamed。Butthiswasnotall；forwhenkingWilliamhadmadethepeace，ourmartialspiritbecameatoncesopacific，thatweseemedresolvedtomeddlenomoreintheaffairsofthecontinent，atleasttoemployourarmsnomoreinthequarrelsthatmightarisethere：andaccordinglywereducedourtroopsinEnglandtoseventhousandmen。
　　Ihavesometimesconsidered，inreflectingonthesepassages，whatIshouldhavedone，ifIhadsatinparliamentatthattime；andhavebeenforcedtomyownself，thatIshouldhavevotedfordisbandingthearmythen，asIvotedinthefollowingparliamentforcensuringthepartitiontreaties。
　　Iamforcedtoownthis，becauseIrememberhowimperfectmynotionswereofthesituationofEuropeinthatextraordinarycrisis，andhowmuchIsawthetrueinterestofmyowncountryinahalf-light。But，mylord，Iownitwithsomeshame；becauseintruthnothingcouldbemoreabsurdthantheconductweheld。What!becausewehadnotreducedthepowerofFrancebythewar，norexcludedthehouseofBourbonfromtheSpanishsuccession，norcompoundedwithheruponitbythepeace；andbecausethehouseofAustriahadnothelpedherselfnorputitintoourpowertohelpherwithmoreadvantageandbetterprospectofsuccess——werewetoleavethatwholesuccessionopentotheinvasionsofFrance，andtosuffereventhecontingencytosubsist，ofseeingthosemonarchiesunited？What!becauseitwasbecomeextravagant，afterthetrialssolatelymade，tothinkourselvesanylongerengagedbytreaty，orobligedbygoodpolicy，toputthehouseofAustriainpossessionofthewholeSpanishmonarchy，andtodefendherinthispossessionbyforceofarms，werewetoleavethewholeatthemercyofFrance？Ifwewerenottodoso，ifwewerenottodooneofthethreethingsthatIsaidaboveremainedtobedone，andiftheemperorputitoutofourpowertodoanotherofthemwithadvantage；werewetoputitstillmoreoutofourpower，andtowaitunarmedforthedeathofthekingofSpain？Inawe，ifwehadnottheprospectofdisputingwithFrance，sosuccessfullyaswemighthavehadit，theSpanishsuccession，wheneveritshouldbeopen；werewenotonlytoshowbydisarming，thatwewouldnotdisputeitatall，buttocensurelikewisethesecondofthethreethingsmentionedabove，andwhichkingWilliamputinpractice，thecompoundingwithFrance，topreventifpossibleawar，inwhichwewereaversetoengage？