sea was the great source of their wealth; ascendency on the sea
the great object of their ambition. Of the Emperor they had no
fear. Extensive as was the area which he governed, he had not a
frigate on the water; and they cared nothing for his Pandours and
Croatians. But France had a great navy. The balance of maritime
power was what would be anxiously watched in London; and the
balance of maritime power would not be affected by an union
between Spain and Austria, but would be most seriously deranged
by an union between Spain and France.

Pomponne and Torcy declared that every thing should be done to
quiet the apprehensions which Portland had described. It was not
contemplated, it was not wished, that France and Spain should be
united. The Dauphin and his eldest son the Duke of Burgundy would
waive their rights. The younger brothers of the Duke of Burgundy,
Philip Duke of Anjou and Charles Duke of Berry, were not named;
but Portland perfectly understood what was meant. There would, he
said, be scarcely less alarm in England if the Spanish dominions
devolved on a grandson of His Most Christian Majesty than if they
were annexed to the French crown. The laudable affection of the
young princes for their country and their family, and their
profound respect for the great monarch from whom they were
descended, would inevitably determine their policy. The two
kingdoms would be one; the two navies would be one; and all other
states would be reduced to vassalage. England would rather see
the Spanish monarchy added to the Emperor's dominions than
governed by one of the younger French princes, who would, though
nominally independent, be really a viceroy of France. But in
truth there was no risk that the Spanish monarchy would be added
to the Emperor's dominions. He and his eldest son the Archduke