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INTERESTS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 439joyed, to be attributed to the good understanding betweenFrance and Austria ?This connexion between France and Austria, not onlyrobbed England of her first ally,but by reason of the greatdifferences which had already arisen with France herself,respecting the boundaries of Nova Scotia, the forts in theback settlements of the North American colonies, and thepossession of the neutral islands in the West Indies, renderedthe probability of war a matter of almost absolute certainty ;the object ofwhich, as a continental war, would necessarily bethe abolition of the newly-established balance in Germany,by the overthrow of Prussia ;and the most important theatre of which, now that the Austrian Netherlands could nolonger serve as a diversion, must necessarily be Germany.GeorgeII. would have to consider this connexion in twopoints of view, as king of England, and as elector of Hanover. It would naturally be expected then that, under thiscoincidence of relations, the affairs of his German stateswould be first arranged ; it could only be considered as afulfilment of his duties as regent,if he first bestowed his attention upon them. But how could the interests of England and Hanover be more identical than at this time ? Itwas the only state that could now afford to England apowerful ally on the continent, Frederic II. ;and whatwould have been her situation after the subjugation of Hanover? This truth, however, though clear as the noondaysun, was far from being generally recognised in England.The old cry about the Hanoverian interest was again set up.Alas ! even the man who, as minister, afterwards maintainedthe positionthat America must be conquered in Germany,at this time arraigned the connexion which George II. soughtto establish on the continent by means of the subsidy treaty.11Pitt, however, did not speak in general terms. He only censured theconnexion which George II, at that time sought to establish between Russiaand Hesse. But who would not wish himself to read the very words of sucha man on such an occasion " : It is impossible," said he, " to defend Hanover bysubsidies. An open country cannot be protected against a neighbour who isable to fall upon it with one hundred thousand men, and to send as manymore after them. If Hanover, in consequence of her connexion with GreatBritain, shall become the object of attack, then is it obligatory upon us whenpeace is restored to provide her full indemnification for all the losses she hassustained. But the idea of defending Hanover by subsidies is ridiculous andimpracticable." Life of W. Pitt, i p. 136. The exaggeration of the statement is best refuted "by the event.