. w\ 



igO DEFECTION OF THE NETHERLANDS 



time the Frili broke the yoke of their impotent ruler, 

 and appear again as a free and even a conquering 

 nation, enlarging their borders as far as the left bank 

 of the Rhine. 



Emigrations at length deftroyed the original form of 

 thefe nations : other commixtures arofe, with different 

 forms of government. Rivers change their, courfes, 

 the firm land and the fea confound their limits, the 

 fplendid monuments of roman induftry fall to ruin, and 

 the face of the earth is changed with its inhabitants. 

 The coherence is diffolved at once, and with a new 

 race 6f men a new hiftory begins. 

 x The monarchy of the Franks, which arofe on the 

 ruins of roman Gallia, in the lixth and feventh cen- 

 tury had fwallowed up all the provinces of the Nether- 

 lands, and planted chrilHanity in thefe parts. Charles 

 Martel fubdued Friefland laft of all to the frankifh 

 crown ; and by his arms prepared a way to the gofpel. 

 Charlemagne united all thefe countries, making them 

 a part of the extenfive monarchy, which this conqueror 

 created, of France, Germany, and Lombardy. As 

 that powerful frate was again fplit into partitions under 

 his fucceffors, the Netherlands were alfo diftributed 

 into franko-german and lotheringian provinces, and at 

 length we meet with them under the general names of 

 Friefland and Nether-Lotheringia, or Lorraine. 



With the Franks, the feudal-fyftem, that offspring 

 of the North, was introduced into thefe regions, and 

 degenerated here as in other parts. The more power- 

 ful va>fials feparated themfelves by degrees from the 

 crown, the counts and dukes partitioned the country, 

 took each a prefldency as a royal fubltitute, and foon 



turned 



