Opinion was now rapidly opening out to that spirit of intense inquiry which arose in France, and threatened to sweep before it not only all that was corrupt, but everything that tended to corruption.  It is in the very essence of all kinds of power to have that tendency, and, if not checked by salutary means, to reach that end.  But the reformers of the last century, new in the desperate practice of revolutions, seeing its necessity, but ignorant of its nature, neither did nor could place bounds to the careering whirlwind that they raised.  The well-meaning but intemperate changes essayed by Joseph II. in Belgium had a considerable share in the development of free principles, although they at first seemed only to excite the resistance of bigotry and strengthen the growth of superstition.  Holland was always alive to those feelings of resistance, to established authority which characterize republican opinions; and the general discontent at the result of the war with England gave a good excuse to the pretended patriotism which only wanted change, while it professed reform.  The stadtholder saw clearly the storm which was gathering, and which menaced his power.  Anxious for the present, and uncertain for the future, he listened to the suggestions of England, and resolved to secure and extend by foreign force the rights of which he risked the loss from domestic faction.

In the divisions which were now loudly proclaimed among the states in favor of or opposed to the House of Orange, the people, despising all new theories which they did not comprehend, took open part with the family so closely connected with every practical feeling of good which their country had yet known.  The states of Holland soon proceeded to measures of violence.  Resolved to limit the power of the stadtholder, they deprived him of the command of the garrison of The Hague, and of all the other troops of the province; and, shortly afterward, declared him removed from all his employments.  The violent disputes and vehement discussions consequent upon this measure throughout the republic announced an inevitable commotion.  The advance of a Prussian army toward the frontiers inflamed the passions of one party and strengthened the confidence of the other.  An incident which now happened brought about the crisis even sooner than was expected.  The Princess of Orange left her palace at Loo to repair to The Hague; and travelling with great simplicity and slightly attended, she was arrested and detained by a military post on the frontiers of the province of Holland.  The neighboring magistrates of the town of Woesden refused her permission to continue her journey, and forced her to return to Loo under such surveillance as was usual with a prisoner of state.  The stadtholder and the English ambassador loudly complained of this outrage.  The complaint was answered by the immediate advance of the duke of Brunswick with twenty thousand Prussian soldiers.  Some demonstrations of resistance