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383 RISE OF THE CONTINENTALAn immediate reaction upon the continental policy ofEngland could not but ensue, and even at the commencement of the reign of James I. it showed itself in two ways;in the peace with Spain, and in the transactions betweenthat power and the Netherlands. In 1604 James concludedthe war with Spain which Elizabeth had so determinatelycarried on, by a peace with Philip HI. ;in which no singleadvantage was gained for England, and the Netherlandswere left to their fate. How far the conditions of that treatywere favourable or unfavourable to England, made but littledifference ;with this peace expired that rivalry with Spain,which under Elizabeth had been the soul of British politics.On this rivalry was founded the greatnessof the nation ;through it her naval power had developed itself; and it supported the confidence of the other Protestant states of Europe and the supremacy of England.It is clear also, thatthe change in these relations produced a corresponding onein the whole course of foreign policy pursued by England,and the firmest, and under existing circumstances the mostnatural, connexion between her and the continentwas broken.The second occasion, when the change in the politicalsystem of England became apparent, was the negotiationwhich the Netherlands entered into with Spain, respectingthe recognition of their independence in the year 1607.This period was of incalculable importance to England,which had so long fought the same battle as themselves.With what activitywould not Elizabeth have applied thenegotiation to her own advantage, so as to take the wholecredit to herself, and to attach the new state to England, byunstrained but yet secure ties ! But thoughts like these didnot enter a head like that of James I.According to hissentiments, the Netherlands were nothing more than rebelsto their sovereign, and thus even in the midst of the negotiation, he acted in so contradictory a manner, that no one knewwhat his designs were, because he did now know himself.The consequence was, that at length no one noticed him,and Henry IV. obtained the influence which Elizabethwould have secured to herself.that harvest of misfortunes which the Stuarts afterwards reaped. One mightalmost say that the evil genius of this family, which drove it blindlyone fromfault to another, had inspired the king with it