FftoM THE SPANISH MONARCHY; . ioj 



fb that in Brabant, no Fleming can be appointed to art 

 office, no Hollander in Zealand ; and it has Hill been 

 preferved in the fequel, even after all thefe provinces 

 have been united under one- ruler or chief. 



Beyond all the reft, Brabant enjoyed the mofc luxu- 

 v riant freedom. Its privileges were thought fo valua- 

 ble, that mothers, when the time of their delivery ap- 

 proached, went thither from the bordering provinces, 

 that their children might be born to the participation 

 of all the prerogatives of this favoured country; juft as$ 

 to ufe the words of Strada^ men improve the vegeta- 

 bles of a ruder clime by tranfplanting them into a foil 

 warmed and invigorated by a milder fky. 



The houfe of Burgundy having completed the. uniori 

 of feveral provinces under its dominion, the particular 

 provincial affemblies, which had hitherto been inde- 

 pendent tribunals, formed one general court of juftice, 

 which had its feat at Mechlin ; and thus connected the 

 various members into one fole body, which decided all 

 civil and penal matters in the laft refort. The fore* 

 reignty of the lingle provinces was abolifhed, and the: 

 majefty of the ftate now r elided in the fenate a$ 

 Mechlin. 



On the death of Charles the bold, the fta'ces did not 

 neglect to take advantage of the diftrefTes of their 

 dutchefs, who was awed by the arms of France, and 

 indeed was already in their power. The ltates of Hol- 

 land and Zealand compelled her to lign a great charter* 

 which enfured them the moft important rights of fo- 

 vereignty. The licentioufnefs of the people of Ghent 

 carried them fo far, as to fummon the favorites of 

 Maria^ who had the misfortune to difpleafe th€m, be- 



® & fore 



