WILLIAM THE THIRD.

69

things in England. And in what way, except by an actualinvasion, could he do more to disturb the existing order ofthings in England than by solemnly declaring, in the faceof the whole world, that he did not consider that order ofthings as legitimate, that he regarded the Bill of Eightsand the Act of Settlement as nullities, and the King inpossession as an usurper? The recognition would then bea breach of faith: and, even if all considerations of mo-rality were set aside, it was plain that it would, at thatmoment, be wise in the French government to avoid every-thing which could with plausibility be represented as abreach of faith. The crisis was a very peculiar one. Thegreat diplomatic victory won by France in the precedingyear had excited the fear and hatred of her neighbours.Nevertheless there was, as yet, no great coalition againsther. The House of Austria, indeed, had appealed toarms. But with the House of Austria alone the House ofBourbon could easily deal. Other powers were still lookingindoubt to England for the signal; and England, thoughher aspect was sullen and menacing, still preserved neu-trality. That neutrality would not have lasted so long, ifWilliam could have relied on the support of his Parlia-ment and of his people. In his Parliament there wereagents of France, who, though few, had obtained so muchinfluence by clamouring against standing armies, profusegrants, Dutch favourites, that they were often blindlyfollowed by the majority; and his people, distracted bydomestic factions, unaccustomed to busy themselves about

CHAP.

xxv.

1701 .