of its being merged in a central authority which did not exist.  The country was without a centre.  There was small chance of apoplexy where there was no head.  The danger lay in the mutual repulsiveness of these atoms of sovereignty—­in the centrifugal tendencies which were fast resolving a nebulous commonwealth into chaos.  Disunion and dissension would soon bring about a more fatal centralization—­that of absorption in a distant despotism.

At the end of November, 1579, Orange made another remarkable speech in the states-general at Antwerp.  He handled the usual topics with his customary vigor, and with that grace and warmth of delivery which always made his eloquence so persuasive and impressive.  He spoke of the countless calumnies against himself, the chaffering niggardliness of the provinces, the slender result produced by his repeated warnings.  He told them bluntly the great cause of all their troubles.  It was the absence of a broad patriotism; it was the narrow power grudged rather than given to the deputies who sat in the general assembly.  They were mere envoys, tied by instructions.  They were powerless to act, except after tedious reference to the will of their masters, the provincial boards.  The deputies of the Union came thither, he said, as advocates of their provinces or their cities, not as councillors of a commonwealth—­and sought to further those narrow interests, even at the risk of destruction to their sister states.  The contributions, he complained, were assessed unequally, and expended selfishly.  Upon this occasion, as upon all occasions, he again challenged inquiry into the purity of his government, demanded chastisement, if any act of mal-administration on his part could be found, and repeated his anxious desire either to be relieved from his functions, or to be furnished with the means of discharging them with efficiency.

On the 12th of December, 1579, he again made a powerful speech in the states-general.  Upon the 9th of January 1580, following, he made an elaborate address upon the state of the country, urging the necessity of raising instantly a considerable army of good and experienced soldiers.  He fixed the indispensable number of such a force at twelve thousand foot, four thousand horse, and at least twelve hundred pioneers.  “Weigh well the matters,” said he, in conclusion; “which I have thus urged, and which are of the most extreme necessity.  Men in their utmost need are daily coming to me for refuge, as if I held power over all things in my hand.”  At the same time he complained that by reason of the dilatoriness of the states, he was prevented from alleviating misery when he knew the remedy to be within reach.  “I beg you, however, my masters,” he continued, “to believe that this address of mine is no simple discourse.  ’Tis a faithful presentment of matters which, if not reformed, will cause the speedy and absolute ruin of the land.  Whatever betide, however, I pray you to hold yourselves assured, that with God’s help, I am determined to live with you or to die with you.”