The services of Richelieu to France did not end with centralizing power around the throne.  He enlarged the limits of the kingdom and subdued her foreign enemies.  Great rivers and mountains became the national boundaries, within which it was easy to preserve conquests.  He was not ambitious of foreign domination; he simply wished to make the kingdom impregnable.  Had Napoleon pursued this policy, he could never have been overthrown, and his dynasty would have been established.  It was the policy of Elizabeth and of Cromwell.  I do not say that Richelieu did not enter upon foreign wars; but it was to restore the “balance of power,” not to add kingdoms to the empire.  He rendered assistance to Gustavus Adolphus, in spite of the protests of Rome and the disgust of Catholic powers, in order to prevent the dangerous ascendency of Austria; thus setting an example for William III., and Pitt himself, in his warfare against Napoleon.  In these days we should prefer to see the “balance of power” maintained by a congress of nations, rather than by vast military preparations and standing armies, which eat out the resources of nations; but in the seventeenth century there was no other way to maintain this balance than by opposing armies.  Nor did Richelieu seek to maintain the peace of Europe by force alone.  Never was there a more astute and profound diplomatist.  His emissaries were in every court, with intrigues very hard to be baffled.  He equalled Metternich or Talleyrand in his profound dissimulation, for European diplomacy has ever been based on this.  While he built up absolutism in France, he did not alienate other governments; so that, like Cromwell, he made his nation respected abroad.  His conquest of Roussillon prepared the way for the famous Treaty of the Pyrenees, under the administration of Mazarin.  While vigorous in war, his policy was on the whole pacific,—­like that of all Catholic priests who have held power in France.  He loved glory indeed, but, like Sully and Colbert, he also wished to develop the national resources; and, as indeed all enlightened statesmen from Moses downward have sought to do, he wished to make the country strong for defence rather than offence.

He showed great sagacity as well as an enlightened mind.  The ablest men were placed in office.  The army and navy were reorganized.  Corruption and peculation on the part of officials were severely punished.  The royal revenue was increased.  Roads, bridges, canals were built and repaired, and public improvements were made.  The fine arts were encouraged, and even learning was rewarded.  It was he who founded the French Academy,—­although he excluded from it men of original genius whose views he did not like.  Law and order were certainly restored, and anarchy ceased to reign.  The rights of property were established, and the finances freed from embarrassments.