To reduce the Hugonots, to lower the nobility, to elevate France to be the preponderating power in Europe, were the three objects, which the Cardinal proposed to himself.  In each, he had difficulties to encounter, which extraordinary talents only could surmount.  By a strict administration of justice, and severely punishing, without respect to rank or connections, those, who engaged in treasonable practices, he completely subdued the towering spirit of the nobility; by victorious armies and a vigorous dispensation of the laws, he reduced the Hugonots; and, by calling forth all the energies of his country, and arraying half the Continent against Austria and Spain, he gave to France an almost irresistible ascendant in the concerns of Europe.

[Sidenote:  CHAP.  XI 1634-1645.]

To the last only of these three designs our present subject leads us.

Sweden had long been engaged in a war against Denmark, and highly dissatisfied with Austria.  By the persuasion of Richelieu, she made peace with the Danes, and entered into an offensive and defensive alliance with France.  In consequence of it, Gustavus Adolphus was placed at the head of the Protestant confederacy:  a large army of Swedes entered Germany; Gustavus was invested with the command of the confederate forces, and his brilliant campaigns turned the tide of success in their favour.  At Lutzen he obtained a complete victory, but lost his life.

[Sidenote:  Embassy of Grotius to the Court of France.]

After the death of Gustavus, the States assembled, and the Mareschal of the Diet proposed, that the celebrated Christina, the only child of Gustavus, then an infant of very tender years, should be crowned:  the Mareschal carried her in his arms into the midst of the assembly.  On observing her, all were struck with her likeness to her father.  “Yes!” they cried, “it is she herself! she has the eyes, the nose and the forehead of Gustavus!  We will have her for our queen!” She was immediately seated on the throne, and proclaimed queen.  The regency of the kingdom, during the minority of Christina, was conferred on the Chancellor Oxenstiern:  he had been the confidential minister and friend of Gustavus, and shewed through life that he deserved that confidence, by his wisdom, eminent talents, and spotless integrity.  Both the monarch and his minister entertained a high opinion of the abilities and virtue of Grotius:  His treatise De Jure Belli et Pacis was found, after the death of Gustavus, in the royal tent.

4.  Not long after the disastrous victory of the Swedes at Lutzen, the Austrian and confederate armies conflicted at Nordlingen, in one of the most obstinate and bloody battles recorded in history:  the confederates were completely defeated.  The blame was thrown on the Swedes; they were deserted by almost all their Protestant allies, and the weight of the war devolved almost entirely upon the Swedes and the French.  Till this time, they had acted and negociated on an equality:  the loss of this battle made the Swedes dependent upon France, and the haughty genius of Richelieu made them severely feel it.