Memoirs of Louis XIV and His Court and of the Regency — Volume 03

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoirs of Louis XIV., Volume 3 by Duc de Saint-SimonThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: The Memoirs of Louis XIV., Volume 3 And His Court and of The RegencyAuthor: Duc de Saint-SimonRelease Date: December 3, 2004 [EBook #3862]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV., ***Produced by David WidgerMEMOIRS OF LOUIS XIV AND HIS COURT AND OF THEREGENCYBY THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMONVOLUME 3.CHAPTER XVIIIFor the last two or three years the King of Spain had been in very weak health, and in danger of his life several times. Hehad no children, and no hope of having any. The question, therefore, of the succession to his vast empire began now toagitate every European Court. The King of England (William III.), who since his usurpation had much augmented hiscredit by the grand alliance he had formed against France, and of which he had been the soul and the chief up to thePeace of Ryswick, undertook to arrange this question in a manner that should prevent war when the King of Spain died.His plan was to give Spain, the Indies, the Low Countries, and the title of King of Spain to the Archduke, second son ofthe Emperor; Guipuscoa, Naples, Sicily, and Lorraine to France; and the ...