As soon, however, as the aggressive policy of Louis XIV.

was generally recognized, the English people, both nobles and commons, felt the great danger to be there, as a century before it had been in Spain.

The transfer of the Spanish Netherlands (Belgium) to France would tend toward the subjection of Europe, and especially would be a blow to the sea power both of the Dutch and English; for it was not to be supposed that Louis would allow the Scheldt and port of Antwerp to remain closed, as they then were, under a treaty wrung by the Dutch from the weakness of Spain.

The reopening to commerce of that great city would be a blow alike to Amsterdam and to London.

With the revival of inherited opposition to France the ties of kindred began to tell; the memory of past alliance against the tyranny of Spain was recalled; and similarity of religious faith, still a powerful motive, drew the two together.