Dumb Show at Brussels.

At Antwerp.

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Gilpin, never use to agree to anything in general without the 'knowing of more particulars, and then is there also difficulty enough, especially in money matters." Another observer remarks (p. 197) that the letters of a favourable tone from England were as good as "any costly water to the comforting "heart and stomach, these men being fully possest that her Majesty resolutely would make peace with their enemy, and 'they contrariwise resolved rather to see all consumed with fire "and water than to trust to any promises the Spaniard had [made] or should make them, and thereby become at his dis"cretion and kindness." This person's own view, however, was that the Queen had great reason to accept the peace offered her, seeing how the Dutch, "whose the war originally is," enriched themselves by traffic with their own enemy. Of all the provinces concerned, Holland was the most resolute in its purposes. Rumour said (p. 202) that this province would proceed with the war whatever course others might take.

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In the Spanish Netherlands, at Brussels and Antwerp, after the proclamation of the peace concluded between the Kings of France and Spain, there were great feastings and solemnities in celebration of it. The particulars of two Spanish "jests of the country" are given. are given. The first at Brussels, where

was a dumb show representing the French King and the Cardinal, who after long wars fell to a treaty. While they are conferring, in cometh a lady, and conveys herself behind the French King, and pryeth what they say, expressing much perturbation at it, sometimes fawning and sometimes flattering and plucking the French King by the sleeve. In the meantime, one of the minions begins to chafe, enquiring what she is that presumes so near. Where it is gestured she is the Queen of England. So they whisper and laugh at the conceipt. With that there come in four or five fellows dressed like boors, and begin to press to the place and interrupt the treaty. Whereupon the Cardinal enquires what they are, and they are described to be boors of Holland. Whereat the King laughs at the rudeness of the poor men. But the Cardinal gestures he will hang them all up so soon as he hath done with his great business.

Upon which the indignant comment of the relator is, "So we are mocked by them while we treat of peace."

The other Spanish "jest" on the same theme, as played at Antwerp, consisted of

a solemn meeting (as the report goeth) of a Pope and Spanish King, whom the French King came likewise to visit and make friendship with, and was admitted without much ceremony to receive him or no. Next after him cometh a gallant and princely woman's person, clothed, virgin-like, all in white, royally crowned, holding in her hand a posy, which she showed herself willing to give them a smell

and scent of might she likewise be admitted to their feast and company, and so at last was, with more difficulty than the first. Next unto her come two, both apparelled in blue, one better than the other, but with a cat upon his shoulder crying" maw," "maw," to show who carried him. The other clown like, with a great cheese under his arm. Both these offered, with great care and desire too, what they had to be brought near the rest, but without any respect these were denied, and, being at last importunate, were with cords drawn out of the room, which the Hollanders censure as a sign of the King's meaning towards Count Maurice and themselves.

Testimony is given to the determined spirit of the Dutch people by more than one observer. Dr. Fletcher, who was at the Hague conducting negotiations with the States General on behalf of the Society of Merchant Adventurers, reports (p. 238) that the effect of the resolution arrived at by the States General was never to submit themselves to the King of Spain, though, if the whole authority and absolute government of their country were left to them in the form then established, they might be content to yield him a large pension such as might well beseem a king. With regard to the political state of the country, as the result of many particular observations, he had formed the opinion that, "being an oligarchy of a few persons and of a degree but equal "to those over whom they rule, they are much subject to many

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schisms and emulations among themselves, and discontentment "of their provinces and common people, who repine much at their "great burdens, and are distracted with many sects and opinions "in religion, specially four; the least whereof (touching number, "both in their cities and smaller towns) is the profession of that religion which is authorised. And therefore, in case they have "not some superior (though no commander, yet an admonisher " and moderator) to rectify their affairs, and to keep their provinces and States General in good correspondence one with "the other, it may be feared they cannot long continue their state, but it will decline to one superior, or to divers cantons "and divisions, as before it was.'

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The commercial prosperity of the country, shown by the strength of the Dutch shipping, greatly impressed this traveller. Another visitor to the "little country," who has already been quoted, saw it, as he says (p. 198), "full of cities and towns, and those swarming with people that live by daily trade and "water labour."

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In July the States General despatched deputies a second time to England to announce to the Queen the resolutions they had now agreed to, namely, to give her such satisfaction as it was possible for them to make. They were above everything anxious to obtain a continuance of the Queen's assistance, or even her mere countenance (p. 256), and for this they were prepared to offer "round sums" on condition that the money should be paid by yearly instalment. Vere brought back with him from the Hague a report that if the possession of the cautionary towns were restored to them upon such re-imbursement as their State was able to bear, and the Queen would favour them underhand, they would hope and endeavour to maintain themselves. But although there was a strong war party in the Dutch Assembly, there were some who were inclined to peace, and Vere was of opinion that this difference of humour, if the Queen did not by her protection of them "atone it," would be the ruin of their estate. The people in general in the summer of this year were evidently in great perplexity. Sir Edward Norreys writes at this time from Ostend (p. 281), "We have here no certainty of anything, no preparation for war, and yet no assurance of peace.'

From the end of July there is an interval of silence of a couple of months as regards matters connected with the Low Countries. The Archduke returned to Spain to consummate his marriage with the Infanta, leaving the Spanish army under the command of his kinsman, Don Francisco de Mendoza, the Almirante of Arragon. Then towards the end of September, the curtain rises, shewing (p. 356) the Spanish army and the army of the Allies watching one another in the neighbourhood of the Rhine and the Meuse. "They are entrenched lest we should attempt anything "of them, and we are lodged in an island lest they should offend The enemy is strong, and we are but weak, yet "one army fears the other." Sporting proclivities appear then, as ever, among the Englishmen in the army there. "Our service "yet is in exercising our men with the remembrance of old Roman "exercises, after which is finished, we should lie idle were it "not that we have a cast of hawks in the English regiment, which "doth some time refresh our spirits." Count Maurice lay like a watch dog, closely observing the opposing army, resolved not to force a fight on account of his weakness (p. 369), yet ready,

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if the enemy moved a step, to follow, in "good hope" of being able to relieve any town distressed, or to annoy the enemy's

convoys.

So matters remained for a while "without more performed "than usual incursions of the soldiery, notwithstanding some "towns and forts assailed, surprised and yielded to the enemy's "devotion almost within the report of cannon" (p. 399); but on the 19th of October, Count Maurice "honourably broke the ice and "gave the enemy the first blow." The "enemy," however, at this time (p. 403) was meeting with success in his dealings with towns like Wesel, Xanten, &c., levying contributions from them, and obtaining assistance for his progress, "coming nearer and "nearer (p. 404), leaving no strength behind him which may "serve his turn," Count Maurice, meanwhile, continuing at one place, and fortifying it daily. Sir Francis Vere, who was at this time still in England, was very much wished for to assist his Excellency," the people there "reposing a very great trust in' him (p. 404).

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On November 3rd the expectant Dutch were able to welcome Vere on his return, and he and Gilpin immediately set about the prosecution of the business of negotiation with the States General on the Queen's behalf with which they had been entrusted (p. 423), namely, "the reforming of the late ratifica"tion and the giving better security for the 800,000l." In the interval" the enemy" had taken Doetinchem, "upon composi"tion with small resistance," "our" army moving from one strong quarter to another, finally being lodged between Doesburg and the River Yssel, "where we hope they will both save themselves and that town, which otherwise were in great danger." With regard to this game of move and countermove, Sir Henry Docwra, when the Dutch army, according to its habit, had fortified itself at Doesburg, expressed (p. 432) the general satisfaction at having thus secured the place to its own great advantage, and corresponding "admiration" of the error of the enemy in not being beforehand, " which, with excellent commodity, they might well have done, but they thought to have Dottechem first, and then to have come timely enough before this." Thus foiled, the Spanish commander turned back again up into the country. "Many opportunities of doing service upon the enemy

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"have been omitted," continues Docwra, "as we could ever "discover when we saw the manner of their lodging after they

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were gone, but the care of reserving us for the next year's "service, by which the States promise themselves great hopes, "hath hitherto hindered it." A more detailed account of these movements of the two armies is given in a long letter from James Digges to Lord Essex (p. 434). This correspondent takes a gloomy view of the situation, "the enemy being likely to prevail (p. 436) very much in truth this next year unless it 'please Her Majesty to set in foot very royally in time to defend them, not able otherwise (unless miraculously) to defend themselves, notwithstanding their great riches, strength of towns "and advantages of the waters and their shipping, unless also they "be otherwise supplied with soldiers out of France, Scotland "and Denmark, which is very unlikely." It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that the recall of 2,000 English soldiers for service in Ireland produced a feeling of consternation, and led to protests (pp. 493, 502) from the States General and Count Maurice. Previous to this, however, it became apparent that the Commander of the Spanish forces was relaxing his efforts for the time, having accomplished less than "he made show of at "the first" (p. 445), contenting himself with Berck (which on account of its distance and the fact that the plague was raging there could not be conveniently rescued or defended) and Doetinchem, a town weak and ill provided to withstand his forces. His plan of operations was reported to be, to place his forces in garrison in the nearer Cleveland and Munster towns in readiness for an advance when the frost should come; to which plan Count Maurice proposed to reply by filling the frontier towns with soldiers, fortifying the weaker places, and guarding the passages, he himself taking up his quarters at Arnhem (p. 467). "The States, the people, and we the soldiers," adds Vere in another letter (p. 467), "are very sensible of the danger, "so as we all pray there may be no hard frost this winter."

In regard to the negotiations which Vere and Gilpin had in hand with the States General, after some difficulties which they set out in detail (p.443) and which were overcome by firm handling, on the last day of the year they report (p. 527) agreement on the part of the Dutch assembly to the Queen's demands, ratification of the treaty and delivery of the "bond." With respect