That is clear now; but it will be interesting to hear the arguments by which Leibnitz sought to convince the French king two hundred years ago.
After pointing out the weakness of the Turkish Empire, and the readiness with which it might be further embarrassed by stirring up Austria and Poland, the latter the traditional ally of France; after showing that France had no armed enemy in the Mediterranean, and that on the other side of Egypt she would meet the Portuguese colonies, longing to obtain protection against the Dutch in India, the memorial proceeds:-- "The conquest of Egypt, that Holland of the East, is infinitely easier than that of the United Provinces.

France needs peace in the west, war at a distance.

War with Holland will probably ruin the new Indian companies as well as the colonies and commerce lately revived by France, and will increase the burdens of the people while diminishing their resources.

The Dutch will retire into their maritime towns, stand there on the defensive in perfect safety, and assume the offensive on the sea with great chance of success.

If France does not obtain a complete victory over them, she loses all her influence in Europe, and by victory she endangers that influence.