THE SPANISH SUCCESSION. 241

CHAPTER XXIV.

Settlement of the Spanish succession—Renunciation, of France—Comic
failure of the Duo de Berry—Anecdote of M. de Chevreuse—rather
Daniel's history and its reward.

PEACE was now all but concluded between France and England.
There was, however, one great obstacle still in its way. Queen
Anne and her Council, were stopped by the consideration, that
the King of Spain would claim to succeed to the Crown of
France, if the little Dauphin should die. Neither England nor
any of the other powers at war, would consent to see the two
principal crowns of Europe upon the same head. It was neces-
sary then above all things to get rid of this difficulty, and so
arrange the order of succession to our throne, that the case to
be provided against, could never happen. Treaties, renuncia-
tion, and oaths, all of which the King had already broken,
appeared feeble guarantees in the eyes of Europe. Something
stronger was sought for. It could not be found; because there
is nothing more sacred among men than engagements, which
they consider binding on each other. What was wanting then
in mere forms it was now thought could be supplied by giving
to those forms the greatest possible solemnity.

It was a long time before we could get over the difficulty.
The King would accord nothing except promises in order to
guarantee to Europe that the two crowns should never be
united upon the same head. His authority was wounded at
the idea of being called upon to admit, as it were, a rival near
it. Absolute without reply, as he had become, he had extin-

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