FROM THE SPANISH MONARCHY. <LQj 



an inftrument of his ambition. They ceafed to be , 

 their own ultimate end ; the centre of their exigence 

 was in the mind of their ruler. As his whole reign 

 was no more than a motion after outward or internal 

 political dealing, it was neceffary above all. things that> 

 he mould be powerful in his members, that he might 

 ufe them with velocity and force. It was therefore irn- 

 poffible for him to encumber himfelf with the tedious 

 mechanifm of their internal civil manners, or pay that 

 confcientious attention to their hereditary privileges 

 which their republican form of government required* 

 With a bold monarchic ftep, he trod down the elegant 

 flruclure of their commonwealth. He muft facilitate 

 the ufe of their powers by unity. The court of juftice 

 at Mechlin had hitherto been an independent tribunal ; 

 he fubmitted it to a royal council which he efcablifhed 

 at BrufTels and was the organ of his will. He intro- 

 duced foreigners into the heart of their confcitution, 

 to whom he committed the moil important offices. 

 Men, who had no other refbraint but the royal favour, 

 could be but poor protectors and admin iftrators of a 

 fyftem of law they could fcarcely be fuppofed to under- 

 Hand. The ever-increafmg expence of his martial 

 reign, compelled him to augment his refources. . With 

 a total difregard to their moft facred immunities, he 

 loaded them with unufual taxes : the eftates, for the 

 fake of faving appearances, were obliged to confent to 

 what he was fo modeft as not to extort. In defiance of 

 the conftitution, he brought foreign troops into their 

 territory, made them provide for his armies in the pro- 

 vinces, and entangled them in wars, the iffues of which 

 were indifferent if not prejudicial to their interefts, and 

 a which 



