DEFECTION OF THE NETHERLANDS 



flocking hither from all parts, exceeds belief. Tw® 

 hundred, and two hundred and fifty fail of fhips have 

 frequently been feen at one time in its harbour ; no 

 day elapfed in which five hundred veflels did not come 

 and go ; on the market-days the number amounted tq 

 eight and nine hundred. Upwards of two hundred 

 coaches paffed daily through its gate, above two thou- 

 fand waggons arrived every week, from Germany, 

 France and Lorraine, without reckoning the boors' 

 carts and thofe loaded with corn, which ufually amount- 

 ed to ten thoufand. Thirty thoufand hands were em- 

 ployed in this city by the englim company of merchant- 

 adventurers alone. In market-dues, tolls, and excifc, 

 the government got near two millions, yearly — a fum, 

 which at that time implied much more than at prefent. 

 Of the refources of the nation we may form fome idea, 

 when we are told, that the extraordinary taxes which 

 Charles the fifth was obliged to raife for his frequent 

 wars, were reckoned at forty millions of gold. 



For this extraordinary fuccefs the Netherlands were 

 indebted as much to their liberty as to the natural fitu- 

 ation of their country. Fluctuating laws and the defr 

 potical will of a rapacious prince would have ruined 

 every advantage which bountiful nature had bellowed 

 m fo great a profufion. Nothing but the inviolable 

 fanclity of the laws can enfure to the citizen the fruits 

 of his indufiry, and infpire him with that happy confi- 

 dence which is the foul of all activity. 



The genius of this nation, unfolded by the fpirit of 

 commerce and the intercourfe with fo many nations, 

 fhone forth in ufeful inventions : the nobler arts foon 

 reach maturity in the bofom of affluence and freedom. 



From 



