brethren.  Liberty of conscience might thus be turned to account.  While two great parties were “by the ears, and pulling out each other’s hair, all might perhaps be reduced together.”  His Majesty was warned, nevertheless, to expect the worst, and to believe that the country could only be cared with fire and blood.  The position of the Governor was painful and perplexing.  “Don John,” said Escovedo, “is thirty years old.  I promise your Majesty nothing, save that if he finds himself without requisite assistance, he will take himself off when your Majesty is least thinking of such a thing.”

Nothing could be more melancholy than the tone of the Governor’s letters.  He believed himself disliked, even in the midst of affectionate demonstrations.  He felt compelled to use moderate counsels, although he considered moderation of no avail.  He was chained to his post, even though the post could, in his opinion, be more advantageously filled by another.  He would still endeavour to gain the affections of the people, although he believed them hopelessly alienated.  If patience would cure the malady of the country, he professed himself capable of applying the remedy, although the medicine had so far done but little good, and although he had no very strong hopes as to its future effects.  “Thus far, however,” said he, “I am but as one crying in the wilderness.”  He took occasion to impress upon his Majesty, in very strong language, the necessity of money.  Secret agents, spies, and spies upon spies, were more necessary than ever, and were very expensive portions of government machinery.  Never was money more wanted.  Nothing could be more important than, to attend faithfully to the financial suggestions of Escovedo, and Don John, therefore, urged his Majesty, again and again, not to dishonor their drafts.  “Money is the gruel,” said he, “with which we must cure this sick man;” and he therefore prayed all those who wished well to his efforts, to see that his Majesty did not fail him in this important matter.  Notwithstanding, however, the vigor of his efforts, and the earnestness of his intentions, he gave but little hope to his Majesty of any valuable fruit from the pacification just concluded.  He saw the Prince of Orange strengthening himself, “with great fury,” in Holland and Zealand; he knew that the Prince was backed by the Queen of England, who, notwithstanding her promises to Philip and himself, had offered her support to the rebels in case the proposed terms of peace were rejected in Holland, and he felt that “nearly the whole people was at the devotion of the Prince.”