engaged in regulating their
domestick affairs, and repairing the ruins of a destructive war; but, my
lords, we ought to observe, that it had been happy for us had our
minister laboured with equal address at the same employment.

After the death of this duke, the affairs of France were restored to
their former situation, her old schemes were revived, her ancient
alliances cultivated, and her general interest pursued. Spain was again
considered as the power which had the same views with her, and which
could never rival, but might always assist her.

This alliance, my lords, was intended to have been unalterably confirmed
by a marriage, but as no human policy can form measures certain of
success, an irreconcilable hatred was nearly produced by the measure
intended to confirm a settled and indissoluble friendship. The infanta
was sent back after her arrival in France, an affront which no nation
would soon have forgot, but which the general character and habitual
sentiments of the Spaniards inclined them to resent beyond any other
people. To any one acquainted with their character in this respect, it
will readily appear, that no other insult or injury could so sensibly
affect them, or excite so eager a desire of revenge, This, my lords, the
sagacity of our minister should have discovered, this opportunity should
have been improved with the utmost care, by which Spain and France might
possibly have been disunited for ages, and Britain have gained such
advantages as would have made her the sole arbitress of Europe.

The Spaniards were not deficient on their side, nor did they neglect to
court our friendship, but gave us the highest proof of their confidence
by offering us the sole mediation of their differences with the emperour
of Germany: but at this time it was, that the gentleman whose conduct I
am examining, obtained the chief influence in our councils, and by his
peculiar penetration discovered, that nothing was to be done which might
give the least offence to the French. We, therefore, refused to mediate,
unless French ministers might be associated with ours, which the
Spaniards had too much spirit to consent to.

Thus, my lords, was neglected the first opportunity of forming against
the French an alliance by which they might have been awed in all their
designs, and by which the peace of Europe might have been long
preserved.

The Spaniards, finding that we would not undertake to reconcile their
differences with t