been engaged in the capture of Brill, and was, therefore, condemned by the Duke to be roasted to death before a slow fire.  He was accordingly fastened by a chain, a few feet in length, to a stake, around which the fagots were lighted.  Here he was kept in slow torture for a long time, insulted by the gibes of the laughing Spaniards who surrounded him—­until the executioner and his assistants, more humane than their superior, despatched the victim with their spears—­a mitigation of punishment which was ill received by Alva.  The Governor had, however, no reason to remain longer in Amsterdam.  Harlem had fallen; Alkmaar was relieved; and Leyden—­destined in its second siege to furnish so signal a chapter to the history of the war—­was beleaguered, it was true, but, because known to be imperfectly supplied, was to be reduced by blockade rather than by active operations.  Don Francis Valdez was accordingly left in command of the siege, which, however, after no memorable occurrences, was raised, as will soon be related.

The Duke had contracted in Amsterdam an enormous amount of debt, both public and private.  He accordingly, early in November, caused a proclamation to be made throughout the city by sound of trumpet, that all persons having demands upon him were to present their claims, in person, upon a specified day.  During the night preceding the day so appointed, the Duke and his train very noiselessly took their departure, without notice or beat of drum.  By this masterly generalship his unhappy creditors were foiled upon the very eve of their anticipated triumph; the heavy accounts which had been contracted on the faith of the King and the Governor, remained for the most part unpaid, and many opulent and respectable families were reduced to beggary.  Such was the consequence of the unlimited confidence which they had reposed in the honor of their tyrant.

On the 17th of November, Don Luis de Requesens y Cuniga, Grand Commander of Saint Jago, the appointed successor of Alva, arrived in Brussels, where he was received with great rejoicings.  The Duke, on the same day, wrote to the King, “kissing his feet” for thus relieving him of his functions.  There was, of course, a profuse interchange of courtesy between the departing and the newly-arrived Governors.  Alva was willing to remain a little while, to assist his successor with his advice, but preferred that the Grand Commander should immediately assume the reins of office.  To this Requesens, after much respectful reluctance, at length consented.  On the 29th of November he accordingly took the oaths, at Brussels, as Lieutenant-Governor and Captain-General, in presence of the Duke of Aerschot, Baron Berlaymont, the President of the Council, and other functionaries.