Page 80 - A Jacobite Exile

not Charles and James proved themselves so subservient to Louis, William
of Orange would never have been crowned king. There are vast numbers in

England who would rather see a Stuart than a Dutchman on the throne, but
who will never strike a blow to replace them there, and that because they

will come over backed up by French bayonets.

"Well, let us talk of something else. If the time ever comes to act, we shall

be ready, but till then we can let the matter sleep, the more so as we have a
new life before us, and plenty of other things to occupy our thoughts."

"What is it, father," Harry asked, "that the Swedes and Danes are going to
fight about?"

"It is a difficult question, Harry; but there can be little doubt that Denmark

is in the wrong. The King of Sweden died in April, 1697. His death was
unfortunate, for the powers contending in Europe had all agreed to refer
their quarrels to his mediation. At his death, Denmark endeavoured to

obtain the honour, but failed; and by the mediation, chiefly, of the Swedish
regency, peace was concluded between France, England, and Holland, in

the autumn of that year; and, shortly afterwards, the struggle between the
German Emperor, France, and Spain was also concluded, but not at all to
the satisfaction of the Swedish mediators.

"While Sweden was occupied in this matter of the pacification of Europe,

the King of Denmark thought to take advantage of the fact that Charles of
Sweden was but a minor, to press Frederick, Duke of Holstein, who was in
close alliance with him.

"There had long been serious differences between the rulers of Denmark

and Holstein, both of whom were branches of the Oldenburg family, and
this in reference to the Duchy of Schleswig. The quarrel had arisen from the
act of Christian the Third, of Denmark, who decreed that the descendants of

his brother Adolphus should govern Holstein, jointly with the King of
Denmark, and that Holstein and Schleswig should belong to them in

common, neither making any change in Holstein without the consent of the
other A more foolish arrangement could not have been conceived, for