Preliminary points were already settled with England; enormous advantages were secured in America to English commerce, to which was ceded Newfoundland and all that France still possessed in Acadia; the general proposals had been accepted by Queen Anne and her ministers.

In vain had the Hollanders and Prince Eugene made great efforts to modify them; St.John had dryly remarked that England had borne the greatest part in the burden of the war, and it was but just that she should direct the negotiations for peace.

For five years past the United Provinces, exhausted by the length of hostilities, had constantly been defaulters in their engagements; it was proved to Prince Eugene that the imperial army had not been increased by two regiments in consequence of the war the emperor's ambassador, M.de Galas, displayed impertinence: he was forbidden to come to the court; in spite of the reserve imposed upon the English ministers by the strife of parties in a free country, their desire for peace was evident.

The queen had just ordered the creation of new peers in order to secure a majority of the upper house in favor of a pacific policy.
[Illustration: The Grand Dauphin----505] The bolts of Heaven were falling one after another upon the royal family of France.

On the 14th of April, 1711, Louis XIV.