606 
Misery. covered Charleroi, Oudenarde, Aeth, Ghent, and Lim- 
—v—— burgh. The Emperor gave up Fribourg to the French, 
but retained Philipsburg. Lorraine was offered again 
to its Duke, bat he chose rather to become a soldier of 
fortune than accept it under the conditions which Louis 
insisted upon, ‘The Dutch ambassador, in signing this 
treaty, had not consulted the Em or the King of 
Spain, both of whom subscribed to the conditions with 
great reluctance. The Prince of Orange was equally 
averse to it; and ing that he did not know that 
peace was actually signed, he attacked and gained some 
advantage over Marshal Luxemburg, who concluded 
the war was terminated, and consequently did not ex- 
pect this attack. 
Louis's en- Very soon after the — the Emperor, Spain, and 
creschments the United Provinces, disbanded their armies; whereas 
ane Louis kept up a formidable force. His motive for 
— this was too soon apparent. Several territories which 
had formerly been dependant on the three bishop- 
rics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun, and on Alsace, had 
been for a long time in ion of different German 
Princes, and is wished to unite them to the crown 
of France, For this purpose he established two cham- 
bers, at Metz and Brisac, and these tribunals not onl 
ne a decree for the union which the King wished, 
t even cited the neighbouring princes, and the King 
of Spain, to before them, and render homage to 
the King of Benes: or to submit to the confiscation of 
their ions, The Elector Palatine, and the Elec- 
tor of reves were deprived of the seignories which 
a in this part of Germany. But Louis made 
a still more daring and unjust attempt the next year, 
Besieges A, D. 1681. , a powerful city, which com- 
Strasburg. manded the Rbine by its bridge, was still free, and 
A-D. 168+ 7 ouis had long been extremely desirous to annex it to 
France. Money and threats had been employed in 
vain,—the tes absolutely refused to give it up. 
At last, by the advice of Louvois, were order- 
ed into Lorraine, Alsace, and Franche pté, under 
the pretence of employing them to work on the forti- 
fications in these provinces. They all assembled in 
the neighbourhood of Strasburg, ing to 20,000 
men, and took ion of the nd between the 
Rhine and that city, as well as of the redoubt that co- 
vered the bridge. Louvois, who was at their head, 
now demanded that the town should be placed under the 
protection of France. The av, esse ing intimidat- 
pas or mares and the inhabitants in Sen aes 
city 0} its gates. Its ancient privileges were 
secured. PVauban was ordered to poner t ahi oP 
its fortifications, and he soon rendered it one of the 
strongest places in Europe. 
‘Violent con- Louis conducted himself with equal violence and in- 
éuct in the justice towards the Spaniards, pretending that his mi- 
Spanish —_nister had ae to insert the cession of the county 
Nether- of Alost, in the Low Countries, inthe treaty of peace, 
he demanded that it should be given up to him; and 
as his pce he a not + onpen comxipiliad. tee: he be- 
sieged Luxemburg. Su roceedings, mani esting a 
determination not to be bound by pe pes » and vio- 
lent and Kye in themselves, alarmed the other 
powers. The Emperor, King of Sweden, and some 
other princes, had already endeavoured to rouse ‘the 
German empire ; and if the Elector of Brandenburg 
had not at that time supported France, war would have 
recommenced. A congress, however, was held at Frank- 
fort, for the pu of inguiring into Louis’ proceed- 
ings witb regurd to the Gartian territories, which he 
had annexed to France. To this congress, his pleni- 
FRANCE. 
potentiaries presented a memorial in the French lan+ 
Latin having heretofore been the universal language of 
diplomacy. As there were also other disputes on poi 
equally frivolous, the congress was dissolved, and 
business put off till the ing of the diet at Rati 
bon. In the suuusione, “has tieachs maaniechcbict 
and Dix- 
employed against 
whieh had t Algioce ta in a 
used against Algiers in 1681, and again in 1684 This 
piratical state, aye those of ri 
experienced and acknow 4 
noa next felt his wrath. i blic was accused of 
selling powder to the pirates, and building 
Spain. The city of Genoa was bombarded ; and some of 
its palaces reduced to ashes. ‘The Doge and four of the 
principal senators were obliged to go to Paris and im- 
depri him of an of his 
triumph, insisted that the De Should 60 contional 
in 
office, notwithstanding the eR be 
ved of his dignity rome d 
which a Doge was d 
he quits the city. When the was asked, what he. 
thought most extraordinary at Versailles? he replied, 
« To see myself there !” ii “> %, 
In 1688, Colbert died. The advantages which he Death of 
had secured to France, wae ee and numerous: he Colbert. _ 
restored her finances, and lished or invi her 4. D. 1 
principal manufactures. Subsequent events proved how 
much France’ was indebted to him; since, when he 
ceased to manage the finances, the mili succes- 
ses of Louis languished. As he found that the Pro- 
testants, no longer able to 4 
distinguish themselves by 
‘disposed to direct their attention to manufactures, he 
oe 
tent and perfection, as to have rendered them the sour- 
