登陆注册
4904300000108

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
  • Bramble-bees and Others

    Bramble-bees and Others

    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。
  • 牡丹二首

    牡丹二首

    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。
  • THE DECAMERON

    THE DECAMERON

    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。
  • 道德经注释

    道德经注释

    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。
  • 春秋战国门 再吟

    春秋战国门 再吟

    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
  • 别让“面子”害了你

    别让“面子”害了你

    死要面子活受罪,都是“不好意思”惹的祸。俗话说:人活一张脸,树活一张皮。好面子是人的本性,面子就像一双外表华丽却难穿的鞋子,虽然华丽的外表可以让人有面子,但活在他人眼中,注定无法快乐。既然如此,何不丢掉攀比的坏习惯,抛开作祟的虚荣心,从今天开始,摆脱“面子”造成的生活困扰,做一个轻松而快乐的人呢?别让“面子”害了你
  • 心理患者

    心理患者

    嫉妒让人拼命想出头,虚伪让人在困难面前也微笑。负能量有时候带来的动力是无穷的,其实我们都踩着阴暗的自己在往上爬。生活如此这样,我好像和“抑郁”做了很久的朋友。
  • 追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    追妻无门:女boss不好惹

    青涩蜕变,如今她是能独当一面的女boss,爱了冷泽聿七年,也同样花了七年时间去忘记他。以为是陌路,他突然向他表白,扬言要娶她,她只当他是脑子抽风,他的殷勤她也全都无视。他帮她查她父母的死因,赶走身边情敌,解释当初拒绝她的告别,和故意对她冷漠都是无奈之举。突然爆出她父母的死居然和冷家有丝毫联系,还莫名跳出个公爵未婚夫,扬言要与她履行婚约。峰回路转,破镜还能重圆吗? PS:我又开新文了,每逢假期必书荒,新文《有你的世界遇到爱》,喜欢我的文的朋友可以来看看,这是重生类现言,对这个题材感兴趣的一定要收藏起来。
  • 创新增长路径 共享发展成果——在二十国集团领导人第十次峰会第一阶段会议上关于世界经济形势的发言

    创新增长路径 共享发展成果——在二十国集团领导人第十次峰会第一阶段会议上关于世界经济形势的发言

    2015年11月15日,二十国集团领导人第十次峰会在土耳其安塔利亚举行。国家主席习近平出席并发表题为《创新增长路径 共享发展成果》的重要讲话这是习近平主席在二十国集团领导人第十次峰会第一阶段会议上关于世界经济形势的发言的单行本。
  • 婚后宠爱:总裁的霸道娇妻

    婚后宠爱:总裁的霸道娇妻

    尽管这是段隐婚,但夏纤儿还是满意,心里还暗暗期盼假戏真做。但偶然一次她发现了他们之所以结婚的真相,便觉得肝肠断裂!她想抽身离开爱情的沼泽地,却发现他已经爱上了她。她想逃离,他却又围追堵截。
  • 风伊念

    风伊念

    短篇言情小故事,篇幅不长,讲述一个为爱所困的故事。
  • 盛世邪凰

    盛世邪凰

    她被爱人背叛,心如死灰,他救她性命,给予希望。灵魂转世,她因他再世为人,他为她失去所有。当双眸再次睁开,她成了上古家族夜家废物夜瑶尘。夜瑶尘爹爹一句“你不是夜瑶尘。”看破了她皮囊下的陌生灵魂。一笔交易,她替夜瑶尘活下去,却不知道,这不过是另一个阴谋的开始。她无所畏惧,凭借自己努力一步步走向巅峰,报仇雪恨,将曾经的耻辱一并踩在脚下!【爽文+打斗热血+女主腹黑+宠文+深情一对一+男女都强,无背叛,携手天下。】————我的新文《逆天邪宠》灭她肉身的,是她的族人;救她精魄的,却是世仇。她笑得隐忍,恨意深埋。灵魂世界内,她与他相遇;他救她性命,她拜他为师。她为的是强大,他亦另怀目的。圣天魂力重现,四大圣器合并,便可以逆天改道成为霸主,亦是她重塑肉体必备法器。灵魂界内魂魄飘荡,噬魂国、灭云国、破魂国三分天下,相争圣器,战火纷乱。即墨大陆,她族人所在地,这里四大家族与邪教势不两立,为寻圣天魂力明争暗斗。她身怀圣器之一护魂碧玉,拥有圣天魂力,被他们盯上,处处惊险。她皆无惧。重生归来,她必将以最强悍的姿态,破开所有阻碍,势要将整个世界——踩在脚下!【爽文+打斗热血+师徒宠文+深情一对一,无背叛+男女都强,携手天下。】※※※重磅推荐※※※《至尊邪魅》我的完结文《妖仙魅世》仙魅《盛世军婚》逐云之巅《娘子驯夫》影落月心※※※好友推荐※※※《灵杀》鬼之曲《废帝霸妃》我是阿痣我是墨《龙女霸夫》娑苡《异火焚天》刑冷墨《至尊武神》火龙汐《夫君好誘人》逃爱《天才魔女惹不起》柳闻莺
  • 绝世灵刀

    绝世灵刀

    这是一个只属于刀客的世界,灵刀与生俱来,初解,始解,万解!能力匪夷所思。这是一场持续千年的战争,有人厌恶归隐,有人挑拨离间,也有人致力于结束这一切。鸿羽能否用手里的灵刀,终结这千年的战争?一味地杀人是不行的,因为那样只能带来更多的仇恨,带来更大规模的战争!
  • 穿越之拐了弯的世界

    穿越之拐了弯的世界

    一个地痞流氓,一不小心就穿越了,还好还在地球上,只是这已经与他所知的历史完全不一样了。。。。。
  • 佛说阿弥陀经

    佛说阿弥陀经

    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。