I?0 DEFECTION OF THE tfETHEKLAtfBS 



tomed to vanquish every obftacle by the fury of their 

 onfet, became weary of a war which was carried on 

 not fo much againft men as againft the elements-,, which- 

 exercifed their patience more than renown could com- 

 penfate, wherein the conflicts' with danger were fewer 

 than thofe with hardships and want. Neither their 

 perfonal valour, nor their long military experience 

 could avail them any thing in a country, whofe natu- 

 ral employment gave even the moft daftardly of the 

 natives an eminent advantage over them. In fine, on 

 a foreign territory, one defeat was more mifehievous 

 to them than feveral victories over an enemy, that was- 

 at home, could procure them benefit. With the re- 

 bels the cafe was diametrically oppofite. In fo tedious 

 a war, wherein no deeifiv-e battle was fought, the fee- 

 bler foe mull at length gain inftFuetion from the 

 foanger, inconliderable defeats muft enure him to dan- 

 ger, inconfiderable victories animate his affurance. In 

 the commencement of the civil war r the republican 

 army fearcely dared to fhew themfelves before the fpa- 

 nifh troops ; they were trained and hardened by its 

 long continuance. As the royal army grew weary of 

 daughter j the confidence of the rebels increafed ; they 

 improved in experience and difcipline. At lengthy 

 after half a century,, the mafter and the fcholaxs re tired y 

 like equal combatants, each unconquered. 



It muft be farther obferved, that during the whole 

 courfe of this conteft, there was greater confiftency and' 

 union on the fide of the rebels than on that of the king. 

 Before the former loft their firft general, the admi- 

 initration of the Netherlands had paft through no lefs 

 than five different hands. The irrefolution of the 

 a dutchefs 



