Excerpt from Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland

The internal history Of the Belgic provinces has little to record during this long period in which the ambition Of Louis XIV. To possess himself Of the Netherlands, in right Of his wife the infanta Maria Theresa, led to a series Of invasions and desolating wars. The French king managed to incorporate a large Slice Of territory upon his northern frontier, but his main Object was baffled by the steady resistance and able statesmanship Of William III. Of England and Holland. Meanwhile from 1692 onwards brighter prospects were Opened out to the unfortunate Belgians by the nomination by the Spanish king Of Maximilian Emanuel, elector Of Bavaria, to be governor-general with well-nigh sovereign powers. The elector had himself a claim to the inheritance as the husband Of an Austrian arch duchess, whose mother, the infanta Margaret, was the younger sister Of the French queen. Maximilian Emanuel was an able man, who did his utmost to improve the condition Of the country. He attempted to promote trade and restore prosperity to the impoverished land by the introduction Of new customs, laws and other measures, and particularly by the construction Of canals to counteract the damage done to Belgian commerce by the closing Of the Scheldt. The position Of the elector was greatly strengthened by the partition treaty Of the r9th Of August 1698. Under this instrument the signatory powers - England; France and Holland - agreed that on the demise of Charles II. The crown prince Of Bavaria under his father's guardianship Should be sovereign Of Spain, Belgium and Spanish America. Charles II. Himself shortly afterwards by will appointed the Bavarian prince heir to all his dominions. The death Of the infant heir a few months later (6th Of February 1699) un fortunately destroyed any prospects Of a peaceable settlement Of the Spanish Succession. Charles II. Was persuaded to name as his sole successor, Philip duke Of Anjou, the second son of the dauphin, and on his death (on the Ist November I 700) Louis XIV. Took immediate ste s to support his grandson's claims, in spite of his formal renunciation Of such claims nu er the treaty Of the Pyrenees. England and Holland were determined to prevent, however, at all costs the acquisition Of Belgium by a French prince, and a coalition, known as the Grand Alliance, was formed between these two powers and the empire to uphold the claims Of the archduke Charles, second son Of the emperor.

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