Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/140

 fied with this intimation, and although he gave no distinct expression of dissatisfaction, he did, nevertheless, observe that the elevation of Frederic to the Bohemian throne could scarcely be thought of before the death of Matthias, nor then either unless it were shown that the crown was elective. The position in relation to the Bohemian contest, which he held as most suitable, he showed by offering to mediate a peace between the insurgents and the Hapsburgs, and to send Lord Doncaster to Germany for the purpose. It was evident, therefore, that unless he changed his views, the hopes placed upon him were vain.

As yet no news had been received of the unfavorable attitude of James, when the Prince of Anhalt, the Margrave of Ansbach, Count Solms, and the Counsellor Camerarius of the Palatinate met (November 25th, 1618), in Crailsheim, in order to receive the report of Ahaz von Dohna, who had been sent to Prague for further information of the condition of things there. Dohna stated that the desire there was to know whether the Palsgrave would fulfil the hopes there placed upon him, and not decline an offer, should one be made him, of the Bohemian crown. Especially Ruppa, President of the Directory, had expressed himself to this effect, and requested a clear and definite answer. Opinions were now exchanged as to whether Ruppa’s question should be answered affirmatively or not; and as they still thought that aid might be expected from England, those present agreed to advise the Elector to accept the Bohemian offer. When Frederic received the news of this decision, terror seized his soul, for in spite of his youth and inexperience, there came a presentiment of the perils to which a participation in the Bohemian troubles would expose him. After much delay he entered only provisionally into Ruppa’s proposal, and