1 68 DEFECTION OF THE NETHERLANDS 



extraordinary events, and then regenerated or formed 

 anew : of which I am ignorant of any inftance. All the 

 revolutions they have ufually brought about, have ended 

 in this, that they have become a prey to fome other 

 defpot. 



Men ; fp. In facl it feems almoft equally impoffible 

 that a favage nation fhould voluntarily fubject. itfelf to 

 the confrraints of political regulation, as that a fervile 

 people fhould ever acquire courage and ftrength enough 

 to break their fetters. 



THE DEFECTION OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS 

 FROM THE SPANISH MONARCHY. 



Of the political events that rendered the fix-, 

 teenth century lb confpicuous in hiftory, the laying 

 the foundation of the liberty of the low countries is, 

 in my opinion, one of the moft remarkable. If the 

 fplendid atchievements of ambition, and a deftructive 

 love of empire, lay claim to our admiration ; how much 

 more fhould an event in which humanity is feen con- 

 tending for its nobleft rights, wherein common exer- 

 tions and powers unite for the cauie of freedom, and 

 calling to their affiftance the refolution that arifes from 

 defpair, defeat the baleful arts of tyranny, and con- 

 quer in the unequal combat, it is a grand and affect- 

 ing thought, that at lair, there is one way left to afiuage 

 the affumine arrogance of fovereisru power, of con- 



founding; 



