Page:History of the Thirty Years' War - Gindely - Volume 1.djvu/183

 thither, and at once sought to win Ruppa, the president of the Directorial government, back for the Palsgrave, and of course was not wanting in promises to gain his end.

Nor did it cost much effort; there was not in Prague a kind feeling towards the Duke of Savoy, who had not for more than six months sent any money to Count Mansfeld for the support of the troops, and now, notwithstanding the treaty concluded at Rivoli, declined any further aid because James of England would not join the alliance. By his conduct the Duke himself, in effect, renounced all claim as a candidate, so that Dohna was received with double favor by Ruppa, and was assured of the use of his whole influence for the Palsgrave’s election. Ruppa made but the one condition of the fulfilment of his promise, that the Palsgrave obligate himself to accept the throne if elected to it.

When Dohna returned with this report to Amberg, he met there also the Elector of the Palatinate. Frederic felt flattered by the hopes thus given him, but would not make the required promise until he should be sure of the concurrence of his father-in-law in his acceptance of the Bohemian crown, and therefore entreated that the election be deferred until he should have received news from England. With this intelligence Dohna returned to Prague, where he arrived on the 18th of August, the very time when the deposition of Ferdinand was under consideration. He did as instructed, but neither the Directors nor Ruppa would consent to put off the election. The General Diet had assembled for this purpose, and could not be adjourned; furthermore, things had taken the unfavorable turn narrated above on the theatre of the war, so that a favorable change could be hoped for only by securing the alliance of some prominent prince, and