counsel and to refrain from giving utterance to an unguarded word.  But behind this chilling and sphinx-like exterior was a mind of singular precocity, already filled with deep-laid schemes and plans for the future, confident that his opportunity would come, and preparing when the hour struck to seize it.  One can well imagine how anxiously in their many personal interviews the council-pensionary must have tried to read what was passing in his pupil’s inmost thoughts, only to be baffled.

So early as August, 1667, steps had been taken by the Estates of Holland to forestall the danger that threatened.  On the proposal of Van Beuningen and Valckenier, who had not yet detached themselves from the States party, an edict was passed to which, somewhat infelicitously, the name of the “Eternal Edict” was given.  It abolished in Holland the office of stadholder for ever and affirmed the right of the town-corporations (vroedschappen) to elect their own magistrates.  It was further resolved to invite the other provinces to declare that no stadholder could hold either the captain-or admiral-generalship of the Union.  This resolution was styled the “Concept of Harmony.”  Deputations were sent to urge the acceptation of the Concept; and De Witt himself used his utmost power of persuasion to bring about a general agreement.  He was successful in Utrecht, Gelderland and Overyssel.  But Zeeland, Friesland and Groningen, where the Orangists were strong, refused to give their assent; and the approval of the States-General was only carried by a bare majority.  De Witt himself doubtless knew that the erection of this paper barrier against the inherited influence of one bearing the honoured title of Prince of Orange was of little real value.  It is reported that Vivien, the Pensionary of Dordrecht, De Witt’s cousin, stuck his pen-knife into a copy of the Eternal Edict as it lay on the table before him, and in reply to a remonstrance said:  “I was only trying what steel can do against parchment.”

The second period of five years during which De Witt had held the post of council-pensionary was now drawing to an end.  For a decade he had wielded a power which had given to him almost supreme authority in the republic, especially in the control of foreign affairs.  But all the time he had lived the life of a simple burgher, plainly dressed, occupying the same modest dwelling-house, keeping only a single manservant.  He was devotedly attached to his wife and children, and loved to spend the hours he could spare from public affairs in the domestic circle.  The death of Wendela on July 1, 1668, was a great blow to him and damped the satisfaction which must have filled him at the manner in which he was reelected at the end of that month to enter upon his third period of office.  In recognition of his great services his salary of 6000 guilders was doubled, and a gratuity of 45,000 guilders was voted to him, to which the nobles added a further sum of 15,000 guilders.  De Witt again obtained an Act of Indemnity from the Estates of Holland and likewise the promise of a judicial post on his retirement.