Respect for me has alone induced his Majesty to make this resolution." We have already seen that the Spanish ambassador in Paris was at this very time loudly declaring that his colleague in London had no commission whatever to make these propositions.

Nor when they were in the slightest degree analysed, did they appear after all to be much better than threats.

Not a word was said of guarantees.

The names of the two kings were not mentioned.

It was nothing but Albert and Spinola then as always, and a recommendation that Brandenburg and the States and all the Protestant princes of Germany should trust to the candour of the Catholic League.