t is impossible
to say what form they will take ultimately. France and Prussia, viewing
the Emperor as their most dangerous and common enemy, had heretofore
seen their common safety as depending on a strict connection with
one another. This had naturally inclined the Emperor to the scale
of England, and the Empress also, as having views in common with the
Emperor, against the Turks. But these two powers would, at any time,
have gladly quitted England, to coalesce with France, as being the power
which they met every where, opposed as a barrier to all their schemes
of aggrandizement. When, therefore, the present King of Prussia took
the eccentric measure of bidding defiance to France, by placing his
brother-in-law on the throne of Holland, the two empires immediately
seized the occasion of soliciting an alliance with France. The motives
for this appeared so plausible, that it was believed the latter would
have entered into this alliance, and that thus the whole political
system of Europe would have taken a new form. What has prevented this
court from coming into it, we know not. The unmeasurable ambition of the
Emperor, and his total want of moral principle and honor, are suspected.
A great share of Turkey, the recovery of Silesia, the consolidation of
his dominions by the Bavarian exchange, the liberties of the Germanic
body, all occupy his mind together; and his head is not well enough
organized, to pursue so much only of all this, as is practicable.
Still it was thought that France might safely have coalesced with these
powers, because Russia and herself holding close together, as their
interests would naturally dictate, the Emperor could never stir, but
with their permission. France seems, however, to have taken the worst
of all parties, that is, none at all. She folds her arms, lets the
two empires go to work to cut up Turkey as they can, and holds Prussia
aloof, neither as a friend nor foe. This is withdrawing her opposition
from the two empires, without the benefit of any condition whatever. In
the mean time, England has clearly overreached herself. She excited
the war between the Russians and Turks, in hopes that France, still
supporting the Turks, would be embarrassed with the two empires. She did
not foresee the event which has taken place, of France abandoning the
Turks, and that which may take place, of her union with the two empires.
She allied herself with Holland, but cannot obtain the alliance of
Prussia. T