their farewells to their families, trusting to the word of the Spanish Captain Molinos, were thrown into prison.  Noircarmes the butcher of Valenciennes, now made his appearance in Mons. As grand bailiff of Hainault, he came to the place as one in authority, and his deeds were now to complete the infamy which must for ever surround his name.  In brutal violation of the terms upon which the town had surrendered, he now set about the work of massacre and pillage.  A Commission of Troubles, in close imitation of the famous Blood Council at Brussels, was established, the members of the tribunal being appointed by Noircarmes, and all being inhabitants of the town.  The council commenced proceedings by condemning all the volunteers, although expressly included .in the capitulation.  Their wives and children were all banished; their property all confiscated.  On the 15th December, the executions commenced.  The intrepid De Leste, silk manufacturer, who had commanded a band of volunteers, and sustained during the siege the assaults of Alva’s troops with remarkable courage at a very critical moment, was one of the earliest victims.  In consideration “that he was a gentleman, and not among the most malicious,” he was executed by sword.  “In respect that he heard the mass, and made a sweet and Catholic end,” it was allowed that he should be “buried in consecrated earth.”  Many others followed in quick succession.  Some were beheaded, some were hanged, some were burned alive.  All who had borne arms or worked at the fortifications were, of course, put to death.  Such as refused to confess and receive the Catholic sacraments perished by fire.  A poor wretch, accused of having ridiculed these mysteries, had his tongue torn out before being beheaded.  A cobbler, named Blaise Bouzet, was hanged for having eaten meat-soup upon Friday.  He was also accused of going to the Protestant preachings for the sake of participating in the alms distributed an these occasions, a crime for which many other paupers were executed.  An old man of sixty-two was sent to the scaffold for having permitted his son to bear arms among the volunteers.  At last, when all pretexts were wanting to justify executions; the council assigned as motives for its decrees an adhesion of heart on the part of the victims to the cause of the insurgents, or to the doctrines of the Reformed Church.  Ten, twelve, twenty persons, were often hanged, burned, or beheaded in a single day.  Gibbets laden with mutilated bodies lined the public highways,—­while Noircarmes, by frightful expressions of approbation, excited without ceasing the fury of his satellites.  This monster would perhaps, be less worthy of execration had he been governed in these foul proceedings by fanatical bigotry or by political hatred; but his motives were of the most sordid description.  It was mainly to acquire gold for himself that he ordained all this carnage.  With the same pen which signed the death-sentences of the richest victims, he drew orders to his own