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INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 389to him. In the time of Elizabeth, as we have shown, it wasProtestantism which determined the relations between England and the continent. It is true that this spring of actionoperated more powerfully, and for a greater length of time,here, than in any other European state ;so much so, that itdisplayed considerable strength even under William III. ;but as itbegan about this time to relax in other states, thesame necessarily became the case before long in England jand here as elsewhere it could only be maintained for a shortadditional period by the local or family circumstances of thereigning house. Some other powerful inducement wastherefore' in requisite,order thatthe participation of England in the affairs of the continent should rest upon highergrounds than the personalconnexions and inclinations of themonarch. This new springof action, which has continueddown to the latest times the soul of British policy, was therivalry with France, a principle which was then establishedfor ever. England since that time has scarcely ever enteredinto any connexions with the continent which havepoliticalnot either mediately or immediately proceeded from thissource. This rivalry has been one of the mainsprings ofEuropean politics,and the more partialthe view which isoften taken of this circumstance, the more necessary it isthat we should consider it in its real bearings.The rivalry of these two great powers was undoubtedlythe cause, partlyof the origin, partly of the extension andof the prolongationof several of the great wars which havedesolated not only Europe, but even the most remote partsof the earth. Considered in this light,we maywell excusethe opinion which refers to this rivalry,as to one of theirchief causes, the manifold evils which inthese times havea false estihappened to mankind but it is; undoubtedlymate which would assert that these evils, undeniable as theyare, outweigh the advantages which have sprung from thesame source. A more extensive view of historyin generalwill lead us to a very different result.and theWhat is the rivalry of nations but the spur, ay,most effectual one, to prompt them to the development oftheir powers What ? else therefore than the mainspring bywhich they are urged to the attainment of that state of civilization for which they are by their capacitiesand circum-