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410 RISE OF THE CONTINENTALgenerally speaking, too late. Besides, when Russia at thepeace of Nystadt had effected the separation of the finestlands on the Baltic from Sweden, viz. Livonia, Esthonia,Ingria, and a part of Courland, what support, however powerful, could have sustained Sweden in a position to preservethe balance of power against Russia ?By the peace of Nystadt then nothing, it is true, was definitively settled itrespecting England; was neverthelessthe foundation of her continental policy in the North. Asthe consequences of this peace developed themselves slowly,but on this account the more surely, in the growing prosperity of Russia as not; only her exports increased in conseqnenceof her possessing the principal port in the Baltic,,but from the spread of European luxury, her internal consumption was also augmented, so the conviction that thiswas by no means a questionable but in the highest degreean advantageous result to England, developeditself moreand more in that country the market for British manufac;tures becoming thereby so much the more extensive, andthe trade to the Baltic daily more important. On the otherhand, the augmentation of the British navy caused in turna proportionate demand abroad for the materials requisite inship-building, especially timber and hemp, both of whichthe immense territory of Russia offered in the greatest profusion. In a word, both countries were becoming every daymore and more indispensable to each other ;not in prosecuting a common war, but in supplying each other s wants ;a bond of union far more durable than anytreaties ofalliance.Under these relations the British continental policyin theNorth necessarily assumed more of a passive than an activecharacter. The good understanding between England andRussia was indispensable to both parties ;and there wasnothing at that time which seemed likelyto disturb thisamicable connexion. Even when the occasional re-actionupon the north of Europe of the political events of the westmight have excited such apprehensions, they passed awaywithout any important consequences. This state of thingslasted till Russia took a direct and vigorous part, not onlyinthe affairs of the north and east, but also in those of the westand south of Europe. This intervention necessarily gave