as publick pressnres and private discontent can blow up a
party among that combustible generation: And therefore,
as low as he seems now, he will be up again at Spring; and
you may expect the Archduke will set him and Loraine
both a work again in that Kingdome. Believe it, how serene
soever the Court of France may seem now to be, and
think of disturbing their neighbours; yet you will see the
Cardinals designe upon Naples vanishing into Air, and that
there will be little leisure to think either [unr]of England or
Scotland.
The People in these Lands say the Treaty-hath bin long
in hand with England, that they fear nothing will come of
it. It will be a difficult point to bring all the Statesmen
here to agree about it, being all divided in Interest and
opinion; some looking towards France, others toward
Spain; som wedded to the Orange-party and Charls Stuart,
and think to support themselves by lending a shoulder to
that broken Family. Some few also there are who are good
Patriots and they but few, who know, acknowledg, and
desire an Union with England as the great Interest of their
Country but can do nothing, because over-powered and
out-numbred in all Councels. The truth of things, and the
offers made by England to incorporate both Common,
weals into one, are kept from the knowledg of the People,
or else misrepresented to them, as if thereby England intended
only to become Masters of themselves, their wealth
and their Trade; and so the Boutefeus here do blast all belief
of those Advantages that might come to the United
Provinces by such an Incorporation; which would be a
matter of so much consequence to Religion, and of terror
to the Popish party, that its no wonder if all the Jesuites
in Europe (who are said to have a notable influence in the
Dutch Councel) employ all their Wits and Insinuations to
hinder it. And therefore it is often beaten into the ears of
the great one here a Coalition (as the term is), with England,
would soon take down the dignities of these Hoghen Mogbens;
so that rather than part with their High and Mighty