MODERN HISTORY. 



abovementioned were fucceffively formed. Their 

 governors acquired great power, and at the 

 time of the invafion of the Normans, they 

 made themielves independent. 1 his hiftory 

 therefore contains three periods. In the firfl, 

 inquiry is to be made into the origin of each 

 dutchy, county and ieigniory, till the time ot 

 their union in the fifteenth century. In tiie le- 

 cond, the union itfelf is to be explained, and the 

 manner mown in which they ieli under the 

 power, (i.) of the kings of Bourgogne, (2.) of 

 the houfe of Auftria, and (3.) under the domi- 

 nion of Spain, till the year 1564. And in the 

 third period, it is to be explained in what man- 

 ner the feven provinces of Guelderland, Holland, 

 Zealand, Utrecht, Friezland, Overyfiel and Groe- 

 ningen, united themielves, in order to throw 

 off the Spainilh yoke, and under the condud: 

 of the prince of Orange and Naflau, came to be 

 declared by Spain free provinces. Laflly, is to 

 feen the (late of this powerful Republic down to 

 the prefcnt day , together with the important 

 eftablifhments which it has formed in the three 

 other parts of the world, but efpecially in Afia. 

 The hiftories of the counts of Flanders, the counts 

 of Holland, &c. that of the princes of Orange 

 of the houfc of Naflau, are alto intimately con* 

 neded with that of the Low Countries. 



VIII. XII. rbe Ilijlory cf Germany. This 

 hiftory likewife divides itfelf into three periods, 

 which form, the Ancient I liftory, that of the 



Middle 



