dependencies of a distant despotism.  The immediate effect, however, of the “Brussels Union” was to rally all lovers of the fatherland and haters of a foreign tyranny upon one vital point—­the expulsion of the stranger from the land.  The foot of the Spanish soldier should no longer profane their soil.  All men were forced to pronounce themselves boldly and unequivocally, in order that the patriots might stand shoulder to shoulder, and the traitors be held up to infamy.  This measure was in strict accordance with the advice given more than once by the Prince of Orange, and was almost in literal fulfilment of the Compromise, which he had sketched before the arrival of Don John.

The deliberations were soon resumed with the new Governor, the scene being shifted from Luxemburg to Huy.  Hither came a fresh deputation from the states-general—­many signers of the Brussels Union among them—­and were received by Don John with stately courtesy:  They had, however, come, determined to carry matters with a high and firm hand, being no longer disposed to brook his imperious demeanour, nor to tolerate his dilatory policy.  It is not surprising, therefore, that the courtesy soon changed to bitterness, and that attack and recrimination usurped the place of the dignified but empty formalities which had characterized the interviews at Luxemburg.

The envoys, particularly Sweveghem and Champagny, made no concealment of their sentiments towards the Spanish soldiery and the Spanish nation, and used a freedom of tone and language which the petulant soldier had not been accustomed to hear.  He complained, at the outset, that the Netherlanders seemed new-born—­that instead of bending the knee, they seemed disposed to grasp the sceptre.  Insolence had taken the place of pliancy, and the former slave now applied the chain and whip to his master.  With such exacerbation of temper at the commencement of negotiations, their progress was of necessity stormy and slow.

The envoys now addressed three concise questions to the Governor.  Was he satisfied that the Ghent Pacification contained nothing conflicting with the Roman religion and the King’s authority?  If so, was he willing to approve that treaty in all its articles?  Was he ready to dismiss his troops at once, and by land, the sea voyage being liable to too many objections?

Don John answered these three questions—­which, in reality, were but three forms of a single question—­upon the same day, the 24th of January.  His reply was as complex as the demand had been simple.  It consisted of a proposal in six articles, and a requisition in twenty-one, making in all twenty-seven articles.  Substantially he proposed to dismiss the foreign troops—­to effect a general pacification of the Netherlands—­ to govern on the basis of the administration in his imperial father’s reign—­to arrange affairs in and with regard to the assembly-general as the King should judge to be fitting—­to forgive