And he began again to lend an ear to the proposals
of Lewis, who offered him great sums of money, if he would consent to
France's making an advantageous peace with the allies.
Temple, though pressed by the king, refused to have any concern in so
dishonorable a negotiation: but he informs us, that the king said, there
was one article proposed which so incensed him that as long as he lived
he should never forget it. Sir William goes no further; but the editor
of his works, the famous Dr. Swift, says, that the French, before they
would agree to any payment, required as a preliminary, that the king
should engage never to keep above eight thousand regular troops in Great
Britain.[*] Charles broke into a passion. "Cod's-fish," said he, (his
usual oath,) "does my brother of France think to serve me thus? Are all
his promises to make me absolute master of my people come to this? Or
does he think that a thing to be done with eight thousand men?"
* To wit, three thousand men for Scotland, and
the usual guards and garrisons in England, amounting to near
five thousand men. Sir J. Dalrymple's App p. 161.
Van Beverning was the Dutch ambassador at Nimeguen, a man of great
authority with the states.
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