THE LAST CHASSE OF CHARLES X. 177 



end that the whole force and policy of your government 

 should be directed. Do not wait until England assists in 

 the development of our resources, for that very development 

 would occasion the diminution of her own. One of the very 

 conditions of her existence is that other nations should be in 

 a state of hostility. The secret of that fluctuating policy 

 which carries at different periods, and under identical 

 circumstances, her arms, her alliance, or her neutrality, 

 to all points of the globe, is here explained. To inspire 

 feelings of hostility amongst nations, to occasion wars, which, 

 in paralysing their industry, and absorbing their treasures, 

 opens a market for her own fabrics and productions, such is 

 the power which England knows how to use. This is the 

 science that establishes her rule. When the king desires it, 

 he may plant his colours on the Hotel de Ville of Brussels, 

 or the citadel of Antwerp." 



"At the same time, will not Austria overrun Italy, and 

 Russia establish herself .on the Bosphorus?" 



"And what great harm will be done, sire, when, to com- 

 pensate for it, England will be banished from the Mediter- 

 ranean ?". .... 



" It is the system of Catherine II." 



" Exactly ; which may be comprised in a few words. A 

 unity of interests tends :to. the same .end, by its direct 

 influence upon the increase of national riches." 



"What faith have you in the concurrence of Russia with 

 a similar alliance 1 ?" 



"Why, sire, for a century past this, alliance has been 

 offered to us by the Northern Powers, and we have never 

 profited by it. ; Was not . your ambassador very lately 

 addressed, at the Court of St. Petersburg in . these words : 

 ' Quand venez vous done ct, nous ? I am persuaded that the 

 minister who would seriously, work at the proper application 

 of these ideas would better understand the exigencies of the 



