1J% DEFECTION OP THE NETHERLANDS 



fuperfluity and eafe, led them to try the authority of 

 antiquated opinions and to break an opprobrious chain. 

 The horrid lain of defpotifm was brand ifhed over them, 

 an arbitrary power threatened to overturn the main 

 pillars of their profperity, the guardian of their laws 

 became their tyrant. Simple in their polity as in their 

 manners, they refolutely cancelled an obfolete com- 

 pact, and brought the fovereign lord of both the In- 

 dies to the bar of nature. 



A name often determines the whole event of things. 

 That is termed rebellion at Madrid, which in BrufTels 

 is only a lawful act : the troubles in Brabant required 

 the interpolition of a wife mediator ; Philip the fecond 

 fent them a hangman, and the fignal of war was given. 

 Both life and property were attacked by a tyranny with- 

 out example. The defperate citizens, reduced to the 

 dreadful alternative of enuring between two modes of 

 death, readily chofe the nobler on the field of battle. 

 An opulent luxurious people is fond of peace, but it 

 becomes martial when reduced to poverty. There was 

 now no concern for a life divefted of every thing for 

 which one mould wifh to live. The rage of rebellion 

 pofieffed the remoter! provinces ; trade and commerce 

 were immediately at a ftand, the fhips vanifhed out of 

 the ports, the tradefman fled from his Hi op, the huf- 

 bandman from his defolated fields. Thoufands took 

 refuge in foreign countries, thoufands fell facrifices on 

 the fcafFold, and other thoufands fought their way 

 through the bloody fcene ; furelv that doctrine muil 

 be divine for which men can fo chear fully die. Still 

 the laft completing hand was wanting — an enlightened 

 enterprifmg fpirit to feize the great political moment. 



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