e upon
himself. He possessed all the talents of dissimulation requisite for
the execution of this delicate plan; but being deficient in vigor,
application, and sound judgment, instead of acquiring a superiority over
both factions, he lost the confidence of both, and taught the partisans
of each to adhere still more closely to their particular leaders, whom
they found more cordial and sincere in the cause which they espoused.

{1576.} The Hugonots were strengthened by the accession of a German
army under the prince of Conde and Prince Casimir; but much more by the
credit and personal virtues of the king of Navarre, who, having fled
from court, had placed himself at the head of that formidable party.
Henry, in prosecution of his plan, entered into a composition with them;
and being desirous of preserving a balance between the sects, he granted
them peace on the most advantageous conditions. This was the fifth
general peace made with the Hugonots, but though it was no more sincere
on the part of the court than any of the former, it gave the highest
disgust to the Catholics; and afforded the duke of Guise the desired
pretence of declaiming against the measures, and maxims, and conduct of
the king.

That artful and bold leader took thence an occasion of reducing his
party into a more formed and regular body; and he laid the first
foundations of the famous "league," which, without paying any regard to
the royal authority, aimed at the entire suppression of the Hugonots.
Such was the unhappy condition of France, from the past severities
and violent conduct of its princes, that toleration could no longer
be admitted; and a concession for liberty of conscience, which would
probably have appeased the reformers, excited the greatest resentment in
the Catholics.

{1577.} Henry, in order to divert the force of the league from himself,
and even to elude its efforts against the Hugonots, declared himself the
head of that seditious confederacy, and took the field as leader of the
Romanists. But his dilatory and feeble measures betrayed his reluctance
to the undertaking; and after some unsuccessful attempts, he concluded
a new peace, which, though less favorable than the former to the
Protestants, gave no contentment to the Catholics. Mutual diffidence
still prevailed between the parties; the king's moderation was
suspicious to both; each faction continued to fortify itself against
that breach, which, they foresaw, must speedily ensu