the soul of the King of Spain; the French navy, ruined and humiliated, the French colonies, threatened and all but lost, found faithful support in the forces of Spain, recruited as they were. by a long peace.  The King of the Two Sicilies and the Infante Duke of Parma entered into the offensive and defensive alliance, but it was not open to any other power in Europe to be admitted to this family union, cemented by common interests more potent and more durable than the transitory combinations of policy.  In all the ports of Spain ships were preparing to put to sea.  Charles III. had undertaken to declare war against the English if peace were not concluded before the 1st of May, 1762.  France promised in that case to cede to him the Island of Minorca.

All negotiations with England were broken off; on the 20th of September, Mr. Pitt recalled his ambassador; this was his last act of power and animosity; he at the same time proposed to the council of George III. to include Spain forthwith in the hostilities.  Lord Bute opposed this; he was supported by the young king as well as by the majority of the ministers.  Pitt at once sent in his resignation, which was accepted.  Lord Bute and the Tories came into power.  Though more moderate in their intentions, they were as yet urged forward by popular violence, and dared not suddenly alter the line of conduct.  The family pact had raised the hopes—­always an easy task—­of France, the national impulse inclined towards the amelioration of the navy; the estates of Languedoc were the first in the field, offering the king a ship of war; their example was everywhere followed; sixteen ships, first-rates, were before long in course of construction, a donation from the great political or financial bodies; there were, besides, private subscriptions amounting to thirteen millions; the Duke of Choiseul sought out commanders even amongst the mercantile marine, and everywhere showed himself favorable to blue officers, as the appellation then was of those whose birth excluded them from the navy corps; the knowledge of the nobly born often left a great deal to be desired, whatever may have been their courage and devotion.  This was a last generous effort on behalf of the shreds of France’s perishing colonies.  The English government did not give it time to bear fruit; in the month of January, 1762, it declared war against Spain.  Before the year had rolled by, Cuba was in the hands of the English, the Philippines were ravaged and the galleons laden with Spanish gold captured by British ships.  The unhappy fate of France had involved her generous ally.  The campaign attempted against Portugal, always hand in hand with England, had not been attended with any result.  Martinique had shared the lot of Guadaloupe, lately conquered by the English after an heroic resistance.  Canada and India had at last succumbed.  War dragged its slow length along in Germany.  The brief elevation of the young czar, Peter III., a passionate admirer of the