Despotism Volume 2; Or, the Fall of the Jesuits. a Political Romance, Illustrated by Historical Anecdotes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1811 Excerpt: ...indeed, --but they had not sworn to keep their oath. Charles V. always swore a ft de hombre de bien He had Machiavel translated for his use, and made it his Bible What a world of credulity must such great Politicians imagine the Universe to be, if in their state of Self-delusion, they think they deceive it The oaths of Politicians are put into the same bottomless bag, which the Mycologist said Jove used for the oaths of Lovers--they are never to be found again The oath is not an oath; or what is not an oath, is an oath--as occasion determines--admirable Logic for the pupils of Machiavel NOTE 3, PAGE 4S. The French have always been remarkable for discovering distinctions between the Letter and the Spirit of a Treaty; and by what now appears, have expertly contrived them at the moment the Treaty was framing. When Mesnager, the secret agent of Louis XIV. was over here, attempting to negotiate a peace, which, after winding through a labyrinth of political intrigues, ended to the salvation of France in that of Utrecht, an insuperable difficulty arose, respecting the acknowledgment of the Hanoverian succession. It was absolutely necessary, to quiet the anxiety of the English public and the jealousy of our Allies, to express in decisive terms this delicate point. The French King was willing to grant a solemn recognition of Queen Anne's title to the throne of Great Britain--but the settlement of the succession in the house of Hanover was entirely impossible to French interests and French honour. AJesnager told Lord (suppose Bolingbroke, ) that " the King his Master would consent to any such article, looking the other way, as might disengage him from the obligation of that agreement, as the occasion should present " P. 153. This ambiguous language was u...