登陆注册
4705400000108

第108章

De Witt, who was as little given to lying with his face as with his tongue, marked his assent by his looks while the recapitulation proceeded, and, when it was concluded, answered that Temple's memory was perfectly correct, and thanked him for proceeding in so exact and sincere a manner. Temple then informed the Grand Pensionary that the King of England had determined to close with the proposal of a defensive alliance. De Witt had not expected so speedy a resolution, and his countenance indicated surprise as well as pleasure. But he did not retract; and it was speedily arranged that England and Holland should unite for the purpose of compelling Lewis to abide by the compromise which he had formerly offered. The next object of the two statesmen was to induce another government to become a party to their league. The victories of Gustavus and Torstenson, and the political talents of Oxenstiern, had obtained for Sweden a consideration in Europe, disproportioned to her real power: the princes of Northern Germany stood in great awe of her; and De Witt and Temple agreed that if she could be induced to accede to the league, "it would be too strong a bar for France to venture on." Temple went that same evening to Count Dona, the Swedish Minister at the Hague, took a seat in the most unceremonious manner, and, with that air of frankness and goodwill by which he often succeeded in rendering his diplomatic overtures acceptable, explained the scheme which was in agitation. Dona was greatly pleased and flattered. He had not powers which would authorise him to conclude a treaty of such importance. But he strongly advised Temple and De Witt to do their part without delay, and seemed confident that Sweden would accede. The ordinary course of public business in Holland was too slow for the present emergency; and De Witt appeared to have some scruples about breaking through the established forms. But the urgency and dexterity of Temple prevailed. The States-General took the responsibility of executing the treaty with a celerity unprecedented in the annals of the federation, and indeed inconsistent with its fundamental laws. The state of public feeling was, however, such in all the provinces, that this irregularity was not merely pardoned but applauded. When the instrument had been formally signed, the Dutch Commissioners embraced the English Plenipotentiary with the warmest expressions of kindness and confidence. "At Breda," exclaimed Temple, "we embraced as friends, here as brothers."

This memorable negotiation occupied only five days. De Witt complimented Temple in high terms on having effected in so short a time what must, under other management, have been the work of months; and Temple, in his despatches, spoke in equally high terms of De Witt. "I must add these words, to do M. de Witt right, that I found him as plain, as direct and square in the course of this business as any man could be, though often stiff in points where he thought any advantage could accrue to his country; and have all the reason in the world to be satisfied with him; and for his industry, no man had ever more I am sure.

For these five days at least, neither of us spent any idle hours, neither day nor night."

Sweden willingly acceded to the league, which is known in history by the name of the Triple Alliance; and, after some signs of ill-humour on the part of France, a general pacification was the result.

The Triple Alliance may be viewed in two lights; as a measure of foreign policy, and as a measure of domestic policy; and under both aspects it seems to us deserving of all the praise which has been bestowed upon it.

Dr. Lingard, who is undoubtedly a very able and well-informed writer, but whose great fundamental rule of judging seems to be that the popular opinion on a historical question cannot possibly be correct, speaks very slightingly of this celebrated treaty; and Mr. Courtenay, who by no means regards Temple with that profound veneration which is generally found in biographers, has conceded, in our opinion, far too much to Dr. Lingard.

同类推荐
  • 狂夫之言

    狂夫之言

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 征乌梁海述略

    征乌梁海述略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 唐梵两语双对集

    唐梵两语双对集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 二部僧授戒仪式

    二部僧授戒仪式

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Cousin Betty

    Cousin Betty

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 不娇不惯教女孩100招

    不娇不惯教女孩100招

    “让孩子吃点苦,他会倍感生活的甘甜。让孩子享受在风吹雨淋中搏击的快乐,让孩子在生活的磨砺中不断地成长和成熟。从长远利益考虑,让孩子从小适度地知道一点忧愁,品尝一点磨难,并非坏事,这对培养孩子的承受力和意志。对孩子的健康成长或许更有好处。每个对孩子将来负责的父母应该牢牢记住这个很重要的育儿原则一一替孩子们做他们能做的事,是对他积极性的最大打击。父母溺爱和娇惯孩子,满足她们的任性要求,她们就可能成为意志薄弱、自私自利的人。因此,父母的爱不应该是盲目的……”
  • 江湖路漫

    江湖路漫

    江湖路漫漫独自蹒跚仗剑孤行意觉寒谁扬我帆倚万仞群山唯见浩瀚
  • 识谎防骗(识破谎言靠智慧,防骗防诈有技巧)

    识谎防骗(识破谎言靠智慧,防骗防诈有技巧)

    谎言在生活中不可避免,爱情的延续需要谎言,友谊的维持需要谎言,自尊的维护需要谎言……但是,说谎要以向善为目的,决不可恶意地耍弄他人。当我们用恶意的谎言对付别人时,我们不得不苦心孤诣、绞尽脑汁地去制造谎言;当我们以恶意的谎言取得成功的时候,我们的心灵和人格受到了污损;而恶意的谎言一旦被识破,则是信誉扫地、众叛亲离,实在是得不偿失。
  • 神骑狂飚

    神骑狂飚

    这部传奇故事,以传奇英雄东方玉海、东方玉河、东方玉莲异性兄妹复杂的人生道路、曲折的战斗经历为主线,描写了主人公在血与火的战斗中,气吞江海的七度,身先士卒的勇士风范。描写了神骑纵横捭阖于徐彭古战场,让复仇的热血狂飙陷敌于灭顶之灾的生动故事。
  • 宿主有毒,系统Hold不住

    宿主有毒,系统Hold不住

    “宿主,你在干嘛?”系统一脸懵逼状的看着这不按套路来的宿主,内心极度崩溃。洛罂扬起邪恶笑意:“救人啊~看不出来?”⊙▽⊙宿主跪求不闹!能放开那快要奄奄一息的男主吗?我是让你救人,而不是杀了他呀!还有还有,能先给旁边的女主解绑吗?╥﹏╥自家宿主不按套路出牌肿么破?作为系统好无力...... 请不要拿别家大大的书做对比,本豆玻璃心,受不鸟刺激,不喜欢的请默默走开,若是在本文中发现断掉的章节那一定是本豆“兽性大发”写了些带颜色的东西被封了~等本豆修改解封便可以看了,抱歉
  • 渔妇

    渔妇

    穿越了,寄人篱下,婶母不喜,叔父不爱,还要逼她替堂姐出嫁。无奈,那就嫁吧!嫁到偏僻渔村,从此婆婆妯娌小姑一箩筐,吵吵闹闹过日子。无所谓,做个渔妇也不错。抓个鱼,捉个虾,采采紫菜,捞上来,全是银子。只是,只是夫君,你身上的那块玉佩到底是谁家的传家之宝?新书《锦医归》已经上传,坑品有保证,请大家放心入坑!
  • 外科方外奇方

    外科方外奇方

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 前妻赖上门

    前妻赖上门

    这个女人!他明明已经跟她离婚一年零三个月了,现在她却可怜巴巴双手撑着下巴坐在他家台阶上,身边还蹲着一只和她一模一样神态的吉娃娃是什么意思?“老公……”“我们已经离婚一年三个月零三天又九个小时了,你怎么总是那么健忘?。”“人家叫习惯了嘛……言言……”“对不起,请不要当着我的面叫你的吉娃娃,你又忘记了!”这个女人,居然让一只狗和他同名!某人脸色一变,纤纤十指指向他,立马河东狮吼,“沈言!本宫告诉你!别给脸不要脸!本宫没地方住了,在你这暂住一段时间!给本宫开门去!”沈言,商界巨子,传说有一个貌美如花青梅竹马的妻子;传说曾经对妻子的宠溺到可以给她当马骑的程度;传说,他的妻子离他而去……那么,现在她若无其事地回来是怎么回事?难道他还是从前那个可以纵容她为所欲为的沈言吗?★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★米初七独白:亲爱的,你还记得吗?七岁那年,你为了我和人打破头,缝了十几针,换来我踮起脚尖在你额头一吻;亲爱的,二十岁我嫁给了你......亲爱的,世界上真的有如果吗?如果一切重来一次我还是会在三岁的时候就把心嫁给你,然后二十三岁离开你......亲爱的,若有一天我离开,不是不爱你,而是太爱太爱你......
  • 漫天飞羽之剑术无双

    漫天飞羽之剑术无双

    一个人,背负不起一个时代的悲哀。从过往到如今,发生过太多可歌可泣的故事,无双的剑术,至高的权力,缥缈的感情,谱写出诗一般绚美的武侠世界。
  • 佛说时非时经之二

    佛说时非时经之二

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。