out delay to the appointment of abbots to the vacant abbeys. Feeling at the fame time that their influence was become fupreme with the states of Brabant, they led that body to demand, that all the fuppreffed convents fhould be re-eftablifhed, without exception to thofe whofe fuppreffion had received the fanction either of the ftates themfelves, or of the council of Brabant. And, as if it had been a ftruggle to fhew how far the fpirit might be carried, the fates of Namur prefented an addrefs, for revoking the edit for univerfal toleration, which was undoubtedly the moft illuftrious act of the emperor's reign.

The emperor returned to Vienna in the beginning of July; but his return produced no ratification; and inftead of affording any omens encouraging to the late requifitions, they were of a nature which ferved to damp the moft moderate and beft founded expectations. Hie loft no time in difpatching an angry mandate to the ftates of the Low Countries, in which, difplaying all the terrors of offended majefty, he expreffed in ftrong terms his aftonifhment, indignation, and displeasure at thofe intemperate and violent meafures which the ftates had adopted, and that bold defiance which they had given to his authority. He however declared, that he had never intended to fubvert their conftitution, and that in his edicts he had fought only to corr & ancient abufes, and to make falutary reforms. He required, as a proof of obedience, that the ftates of each province fhould fend deputies to Vienna, to lay their fubjects of complaint at the foot of the throne; profeffing, that he retained the fentiments of a fa

ther, and knew how to pardon the errors and temerity of his fubjects; but threatening them with fevere chaftifement, if they fhould refuse to pay the mark of respect which he demanded. He likewife informed them, that he had called the princes, the governors general, to Vienna, that they might act as mediators between him and the states; and that he had alfo ordered the count Belgiojofo to repair to that capital.

Thus were the lofty hopes and fond expectations of the Flemings laid at once in the duft, and their fhort-lived gleam of liberty feemed expired, never more to revive. The provinces did not, however, fink under the haughty and fevere language with which they were fo little acquainted. The ftates complained grievously of the falfe reprefentations which had been made of their conduct, by which the fovereign was not only withheld from that ratification which they had fo just a right to expect but through which he had likewife been induced to conftrue into difaffection and revolt their honeft zeal in maintaining their rights and liberties. lamented the recall of the princes, in a feafon when their prefence was more neceffary than ever for the prefervation of tranquillity; and by no means concealed the difcontent with which the order of fending deputies to Vienna inspired them. This order was indeed fo odious, that the fyndics compared it to the only fimilar order that had ever been issued under the cruel and arbitrary reign of Philip the fecond; and recalling the events of that difaftrous time, did not fail to apply them to the prefent, and feemed to augur as difmal a catastrophe to the Auftrian as to the Spanish peregrination.

They

It was, however, in a general affembly held at Bruffels, thought better to comply with this new teft of obedience required by the fovereign, and deputies from the ftates were accordingly appointed to proceed to Vienna; but they were entrufted with very limited powers, being only charged to exprefs the loyalty of the nation, and to reprefent their grievances, and totally reftricted from coming to any conclufion with respect to public affairs, without the fpecial and immediate authority of the ftates.

Towards the end of July the princes, as well as the count Belgiojofo, fet out for Vienna, the former attended with the general regret, and the latter with the execrations of the people. The count de Murray, a gentleman of Scottish defcent, who had for fome years commanded the Auftrian forces in the Netherlands, was now appointed to the government of the country during the abfence of the princes. The deputies of the states likewife commenced their pilgrimage to Vienna about the fame time; and the provinces now began to flatter themselves that this mark of fubmiflion would remove all fufpicions of disloyalty, and prove the means of procuring that ratification which was now become the ultimate object of their hopes.

But the deputies were not far advanced on their journey, when intelligence was received, that the imperial forces in Germany were all in motion; that a mighty army was destined to march into the Low Countries; the battalions to be employed on this fervice were enumerated; the generals who were to command named; the route the army was to take defcribed; and it

was faid, that the princes of the empire, whofe territories lay in the way, had already been applied to, and had already granted a free pasfage to the troops. The greater currency was given to the whole of this alarming intelligence, from the fudden and unexpected approach of the regiment of Bender (which was now confidered as the precurfor of the grand army) which by long marches and extraordinary expedition had already nearly arrived on the frontiers of Luxemburgh

Although the minds of all men were exceedingly agitated, yet the fpirit of the people did not fink so much as might have been expected, confidering how long they had battened in the lap of plenty and ease, and what entire ftrangers they were to the tumults of war. While they hardened their minds, by recalling images of thofe fcenes of devaftation and horror which took place under the tyranny of the duke of Alva, they comforted themfelves with the reflection of the fuccefs which then attended the determined efforts of a handful of brave men, in defending their liberties against the arbitrary violence of the greatest power then in the world. They eftimated their population at three millions, which they counted to be far fuperior to that of Holland at the period alluded to; and they could not acknowledge any inferiority of their own courage to that of their countrymen; or if the enthufiafm of religion was abfolutely neceffary to incite men to great actions, that was no lefs interested in the prefent than in the former inftance. They confoled themfelves much upontheir great diftance from the fources of the emperor's action and power, and thought he was too accurate a politician

[*P] 2

politician not to perceive, that although he might fucceed in overwhelming them with a mighty force for the prefent, yet that nothing lefs than the continuance of a powerful army in the country, which it was not in the course of things that his fituation would long admit, could retain in fubjection a people who were fo zealoufly attached to their ancient liberties. But above all things, their hope and confidence was placed in France; nor did they think it poffible that the could now fo far depart from that aftention to herown intereft and greatness, which had ever marked her conduct, as to fuffer the defolation and ruin of thofe rich and beautiful provinces, which would afford fo noble an addition to both, and which, in fuch circumftances, would moft willingly throw themselves into her arms.

Count Murray fent a meffage to the ftates of Brabant, in which he acquainted them, that the troops which were ftationed in different parts of the Low Countries were ordered to concenter in fuch a manner, as to enclofe the province of Brabant; that the fovereign, in giving this order, meant to put the obedience of the ftates to a trial; that if they did not oppofe this meafure of concentering his troops, he might be inclined to fufpend the march of that army which was now advancing towards the Low Countries, and might permit the regiment of Bender only to enter the provinces. This fecond teft of obedience was a very extraordinary, and feems indeed a very abfurd measure. As its object was evidently to curb the itates in their proceedings, and to over-awe the province; inftead of producing good temper or fubmillion, nothing could tend more

to irritate the minds of men, and to excite the people to commotion. Neither were the means at all commenfurate to the end propofed, the troops being in no degree equal to the task of bridling that powerful and populous province, if it did not choofe itself voluntarily to admit the rein. The ftates of Brabant, however, fubmitted freely to this new teft.

In the mean time the eyes and thoughts of all men were directed to Vienna, and their minds kept in fufpence, until the reception which the Flemish deputies met at the imperial court could be known. The deputies were admitted to an audience of Auguft ftate on the third day after 15th. their arrival in that city; but their reception was fufficiently ungracious. Along with that haughty and auftere affumption of dignity, which has through fo many ages peculiarly characterized the house of Auftria, a ftrong mixture of anger now appeared in the counten: ace of the fovereign. After hearing their profeffions of duty and loyalty, which, notwithstanding the forbidding rigour of the imperial countenance, were accompanied with a recital of their grievances, he replied fternly, that he was not to be moved by a vain difplay of words, and that his ftates in the Netherlands were highly culpable in his fight; but that he had given a proof of the affection he bore them, in not immediately employing againft them that military force which he held at his command. He added farther, that before he explained himfelf with regard to the fubjects of their complaints, the dignity of the throne required, that certain preliminary articles thould

be

be executed, which he now communicated to them, and had already commanded count Murray to communicate to his ftates in the Low Countries.

The fubftance of these articles was chiefly, that all things in the provinces fhould remain on the fame footing on which they ftood at the first of April; that the current fubfidies, and the arrears on former, fhould be paid forthwith into the royal treasury; that the feminary of Louvain, and that of Luxemburgh, fhould be re-established; that all perfons who had been difplaced hould be restored to their employments, excepting the intendants and members of the new tribunals, about whom he wished to take council with the ftates: that the volunteer companies thould difcontinue their martial exercifes, and lay afide the uniform and other marks they had affumed of military diftinction.And they were given to understand, that if these articles were not executed, the nation would draw upon itself the heavy marks of a monarch's refentment.

Count Murray having communicated thefe articles to the ftates of the Low Countries, before they could hear from their deputies, the information renewed all the jealoufies and difcontents of the provinces. The ftates of Brabant prepared fresh remonftrances, in which they complained, that all the demonftrations of respect and fubmiflion which they were capable of giving, had not been able to conciliate the mind of the prince. That he required the ftrongest proofs of duty and good will, even the granting of fubfidies, whilst he delayed to give fatisfaction for the infringements suade op the conftitution. They

declared, that though they were menaced with arms, yet they were fo bound by the engagements of the joyous entry, that they could not comply with the preliminary articles, until fecurity was obtained for the redrefs of grievances. And they added, that although they fought only to oppofe reprefentations to the will of the prince, yet if any tumult fhould take place in confequence of thofe articles which were now to be enforced, the ftates could not hold themselves refponsible for any fuch commotion that might enfue.-Every body expected that this remonftrance would have been the immediate means of putting the grand army in motion; and rumours were even circulated of its advance, which feemed only to increase the determined obftinacy or refolution of the people.

The difpatches from Vienna arrived opportunely, in a great meafure to difpel the apprehenfions and allay the difcontents of the people. By thefe they received information from their deputies, that the fovereign, having teftified the difpleafure which he thought fuited to the dignity of his throne, had relaxed entirely from that harsh aufterity which had been exhibited at their public audience. That he had permitted communications to be fecretly made to them, that he entertained fentiments favourable to their requests, though the dignity of his crown did not allow him to exprefs them fully until the preliminary articles were executed; that he had weighed in his mind the complaints of the provinces, and was difpofed to grant redrefs in the principal points, though he would not in all things acquiefce in their demands; particularly in the reeftablishment

eftablishment of convents, nor in that nomination of abbots, which, he faid, former princes had been conftrained to come into.

The deputies farther ftated, that the fovereign bad fince admitted them to private conferences, in which, laying afide all fiate and majefty, he converted with them on equal and familiar terms: that he enquired minutely into the affairs of the Netherlands, and liftened with the most marked attention to the accounts which they gave him. That he declared, he never had the fmalleft intention of enforcing his edicts by arms; and faid that the Flemings had frightened themfelves with vain terrors, in their apprehenfion of a military enrolment, and of a territorial impoft, neither of which he had ever intended to establish ip the Netherlands. And that he profeffed himfelf well inclined to restore the joyous entry to its primitive vigour; and intimated a defire of re-vifiting the Low Countries, that he might take measures with the ftates for promoting the welfare of the people.

The deputies were fo captivated by thefe inftances of condefcenfion, that they received every affurance that was given, and profeffion made, with unbounded faith; fo fure a dominion have the great, if they ufe it with any degree of addrefs, over the minds of men The minifters, by command of the fovereign, treated them with every degree of refpect and efteem; and they feemed to want words in defcribing to their conftituents the high fenfe they entertained of the honours which they received; exclaiming, in the honeft exultation , of their hearts, that they were treated in Vienna with all the re

fpect due to the reprefentatives of a nation which had fo gallantly maintained its privileges. As a farther gratification and more fubftantial mark of favour to the people, the emperor facrificed his predilection in favour of count Belgiojofo, by appointing in his room the count Trautfinandorff to be minifter for the Low Countries; than which nothing could be more truly acceptable to all the provinces.

But notwithstanding these favours and profeflions, few politicians will entertain any doubt, that the emperor's engagements with Ruffia, and the coming war with the Ottoman empire, were the real caufes of all thefe flattering appearances; and that, in other circumftances, the march of an army to the Low Countries would be found no vain threat.

The states of Brabant did not appear to be fo entirely captivated by thefe fair appearances as their deputies: for though count Murray acquainted them that he was empowered by the fovereign, as foon as the fatisfaction demanded was made to the throne, to iffue a declaration in his name, which would afford univerfal content to the nation, and accordingly preffed them in the most urgent terms to the execution of the preliminary articles, yet difficulties ftill lay in the way which prevented their compliance; but in order to thield themfelves from the imputation of obftinacy, or the charge of difaffection, they pleaded the fpirit of the conftitution, as well as the written letter of the joyous entry, both of which. forbade the grant of money until a full redrefs of grievances was obtained.