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 Europe against him. He had supplyed the late King of France with immense sums of money, he had put the whole force of Spain in motion, and waited only for a proper opportunity to declare openly against the King of Great-Britain. Spain was in a flourishing condition; the acquisition of Portugal and Brazil was very considerable; and having been so fortunate as to possess a succession of able ministers, her revenues were in good order, and her forces well disciplined and numerous: she had besides a fleet of forty sail of the line ready manned, besides frigates.

Italy at this time enjoyed a profound peace, the Kings of Sicily and Venice, having for some time compromised all their disputes. The Emperor Frederick was in close alliance with George, and the German Princes neutral, but ready to let their troops to whoever would