mirabilmente disposto.'

[397] 'Che le lettere Piu importanti del re sono passate in mano di
Spagna.' Ant. Foscarini, Nov. 13, 1615. There is a letter of James I
of October 20 which likewise supposes acts of treachery of this kind.
What is true in this supposition we now learn from Digby's letter, in
Gardiner, App. iii. 2.

[398] 'To the south parts of America or elsewhere within America
possessed and inhabited by heathen and savage people.' So run the
words of the commission: it is therein said expressly 'Sir Walter
Ralegh being under the peril of the law.'

[399] Dispaccio Veneto Feb. 10, 1617: 'Che le cose erano concertate
che S. M. cattolica non avrebbe occasione di riceverne disgusto--che
era fermamente del re, che il Rale andasse al suo viaggio, nel quale
se avesse contravenuto alle suoi instruttioni--haveva la testa con che
pagherebbe la disubbidienza.'

CHAPTER II.

COMPLICATIONS ARISING OUT OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE PALATINATE.

During these years there had been persons at the helm of state in most
countries, who either from natural disposition or from a calculation
of present circumstances had cherished peaceful views. In spite of all
the activity of Spanish policy, Philip III and his minister Lerma
clung to the principle that the rest needed to restore the strength of
the exhausted monarchy must be granted to it. The Emperor Matthias
owed the crown he wore to his alliance with the Protestants: his first
minister Klesel, although a cardinal, was a lukewarm Catholic, and a
man of conciliatory views in general. The Regent of France, Mary de'
Medici, had surrendered the warlike designs of her husband when she
entered on the exercise of sovereign power. Christian IV of Denmark
held similar views. He declined the proposals of the Poles, which were
aimed at a renewal of the war against Sweden: he preferred, with the
approval of his council of state, to proceed with the building of
towns and harbours in which he was engaged.

Hence it was possible on the whole to carry out a policy such as that
maintained by James I. It corresponded to the tone prevalent among the
other powers.

[Sidenote: A.D. 1617.]

From time to time it seemed probable that the opposing forces which
were contending with one another in the depths of European life, would
burst forth and shatter the peaceful state of affairs. For the
advancing revival of Catholicism roused the hostile feelings of
Protestants, while the union of the Ge