When the triumph of the court was assured, Mazarin emerged from his retirement and again took up the reins of government. For the nine years that were left to him of life and power, he strove to repair the havoc wrought by the _Fronde_ in his private fortune and his public policy. His best efforts were directed to the maintenance of the war with Spain, which with the help of England was brought to such a successful issue by the peace of the Pyrenees in 1660. In domestic affairs he paid little attention to anything except the amassing of a prodigious fortune in the management of which Colbert received his first lessons of finance. He had none of Richelieu’s love for the greatness of France. He did nothing for her arts, her literature, or her sciences. He cared even less than Richelieu for the welfare and happiness of the people. His financial administration was corrupt to the core; offices were sold, revenue anticipated, state property alienated for the personal advantage of the cardinal. Had it not been that he was soon succeeded by the best finance minister that France ever produced, the world would not so lightly have passed over the fact that Mazarin on his death in March 1661 bequeathed to Louis XIV., not merely absolute power at home and the leadership of Europe abroad, but a home administration at once so oppressive and so corrupt, that had it lasted but a few years longer, France could hardly have escaped hopeless bankruptcy and irretrievable ruin. CHAPTER VIII NORTHERN EUROPE TO THE TREATY OF OLIVA Character and policy of Oxenstjerna--The Form of Government--War between Sweden and Denmark--Treaty of Brömsebro--Christina of Sweden--Her character and ability--Frederick William of Brandenburg--His character and political aims--The question of Pomerania--Condition of his dominions at his accession--His withdrawal from the Thirty Years’ War--Acquisition of east Pomerania--Establishment of his personal authority--His intrigues against Charles X. of Sweden--Acknowledgment of Swedish suzerainty--He joins Charles X. against Poland--Obtains independence by the treaties of Labiau and Wehlau--Death of Charles X.--The pacification of the north. [Sidenote: =Position of Sweden, 1632.=]