Untitled - 24grammata.com

INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 419monarch's reign,the interference of the British cabinet Inthe affairs of the continent, assumed the character of overactivitywithout at the same time maintaining that stabilitywhich is the indispensable condition of all durable alliances.It cannot be denied, that precipitate measures were sometimes adopted, particularlythose occasioned by the league ofHerren-haus, which, without a concurrence of fortunate circumstances, which were beyond the control of England,would in all probability have caused disastrous consequences. To this period we may perhaps ascribe the illusion that she was able by her fleets to accomplish more thanthe nature of things permits; so likewise the notion ofderiving great advantages from the subsidies which shefurnished, was then at least entertained, thoughit had notas yet any serious consequences.Important changes in the ministry were expected on thedeath of the king (1727). These anticipations, however,were not realized ; Walpole, supported by the credit ofQueen Caroline, continued prime minister. It could scarcelyhave been expected therefore, that the spirit of the Britishcontinental policy should be materially altered during thefirst years of George IL's reign.But though no immediatechanges ensued, the alteration which took place in thepolitical relations of the continent, caused a correspondingalteration in those of England, which ought not to pass unobserved."When GeorgeII.ascended the throne, the amicable relations subsisting between England and France remained inall their force. The character of the two premiers, Fleuryand Walpole, were too well suited to each other to admitreadily of a change. Both were intent upon the preservation of peace, and their union was still more stronglycemented by the brother of the British minister, HoratioWalpole,in the character of ambassador at Paris. Prussia,the other ally of Herren-haus, had, as we have before remarked, already entered into separate negotiationswith Austria ;the republicof the United Netherlands stood on a mostfriendly footing with England and France accustomed as;Europe was to see the republic take part in all her greatconfederations, it was now taken for grantedthat no association could be formed without its concurrence ;while the2E2