Of all the chieftains possessing influence with the inhabitants of Ghent, two young nobles, named Ryhove and Imbize, were the most conspicuous.  Both were of ancient descent and broken fortunes, both were passionately attached to the Prince, both were inspired with an intense hatred for all that was Catholic or Spanish.  They had travelled further on the reforming path than many had done in that day, and might even be called democratic in their notions.  Their heads were filled with visions of Greece and Rome; the praise of republics was ever on their lips; and they avowed to their intimate associates that it was already feasible to compose a commonwealth like that of the Swiss Cantons out of the seventeen Netherlands.  They were regarded as dreamers by some, as desperadoes by others.  Few had confidence in their capacity or their purity; but Orange, who knew mankind, recognized in them useful instruments for any hazardous enterprise.  They delighted in stratagems and sudden feats of arms.  Audacious and cruel by temperament, they were ever most happy in becoming a portion of the desolation which popular tumults engender.

There were several excited meetings of the four estates of Flanders immediately after the arrival of the Duke of Aerschot in Ghent.  His coming had been preceded by extensive promises, but it soon became obvious that their fulfilment was to be indefinitely deferred.  There was a stormy session on the 27th of October, many of the clergy and nobility being present, and comparatively few members of the third estate.  Very violent speeches were made, and threats openly uttered, that the privileges, about which so much noise had been heard, would be rather curtailed than enlarged under the new administration.  At the same session, the commission of Aerschot was formally presented by Champagny and Sweveghem, deputed by the State Council for that purpose.  Champagny was in a somewhat anomalous position.  There was much doubt in men’s minds concerning him.  He had seemed lately the friend of Orange, but he was certainly the brother of Granvelle.  His splendid but fruitless services during the Antwerp Fury had not been forgotten, but he was known to be a determined Catholic.  He was a hater of Spaniards, but no lover of popular liberty.  The nature of his sentiments towards Orange was perhaps unjustly suspected.  At any rate, two or three days after the events which now occupy our attention, he wrote him a private letter, in which he assured him of his attachment.  In reference to the complaints, of the Prince, that he had not been seconded as he ought to have been, he said, moreover, that he could solemnly swear never to have seen a single individual who did not hold the Prince in admiration, and who was not affectionately devoted to him, not only, by public profession, but by private sentiment.

There was little doubt entertained as to the opinions held by the rest of the aristocratic party, then commencing their manoeuvres in Ghent.  Their sentiments were uttered with sufficient distinctness in this remarkable session.