Netherlands, on the condition that this branch of the institution should be maintained in energetic condition.  With regard to the Moderation, it was thought better to defer that matter till, the proposed visit of his Majesty to the provinces.  If, however, the Regent should think it absolutely necessary to make a change, she must cause a new draft to be made, as that which had been sent was not found admissible.  Touching the pardon general, it would be necessary to make many conditions and restrictions before it could be granted.  Provided these were sufficiently minute to exclude all persons whom it might be found desirable to chastise, the amnesty was possible.  Otherwise it was quite out of the question.

Meantime, Margaret of Parma had been urging her brother to come to a decision, painting the distracted condition of the country in the liveliest colors, and insisting, although perfectly aware of Philip’s private sentiments, upon a favorable decision as to the three points demanded by the envoys.  Especially she urged her incapacity to resist any rebellion, and demanded succor of men and money in case the “Moderation” were not accepted by his Majesty.

It was the last day of July before the King wrote at all, to communicate his decisions upon the crisis which had occurred in the first week of April.  The disorder for which he had finally prepared a prescription had, before his letter arrived, already passed through its subsequent stages of the field-preaching and the image-breaking.  Of course these fresh symptoms would require much consultation, pondering, and note-taking before they could be dealt with.  In the mean time they would be considered as not yet having happened.  This was the masterly procrastination of the sovereign, when his provinces were in a blaze.

His masterly dissimulation was employed in the direction suggested by his councillors.  Philip never originated a thought, nor laid down a plan, but he was ever true to the falsehood of his nature, and was indefatigable in following out the suggestions of others.  No greater mistake can be made than to ascribe talent to this plodding and pedantic monarch.  The man’s intellect was contemptible, but malignity and duplicity, almost superhuman; have effectually lifted his character out of the regions of the common-place.  He wrote accordingly to say that the pardon, under certain conditions, might be granted, and that the papal inquisition might cease—­the bishops now being present in such numbers, “to take care of their flocks,” and the episcopal inquisition being, therefore established upon so secure a basis.  He added, that if a moderation of the edicts were still desired, a new project might be sent to Madrid, as the one brought by Berghen and Montigny was not satisfactory.  In arranging this wonderful scheme for composing the tumults of the country, which had grown out of a determined rebellion to the inquisition in any form, he followed not only the advice, but adopted the exact language of his councillors.