Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/137

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OF GEORGE VI.
111

paigns; and a late rebellion of the Danes, under Count Stormer, had obliged him to divide his land forces; yet engaged as he was, he was ready to come into any alliance against the King of Great-Britain: indeed, he could no longer be the enemy he formerly proved; for the Russian fleet, as its rise was swift, so its declension was rapid; and powerful as Peter had lately been at sea, yet he was now by no means in a condition of making any naval opposition of consequence to the fleets of England.

Charles the IIId. who at this time sat on the throne of Spain, was a weak Prince, but governed by the Count de Leon, a Minister of great abilities and unbounded ambition. From the moment George distinguished himself on the continent of Europe, he became his enemy professed, and by his intrigues, endeavoured to unite the whole force ofEurope