in a preceding chapter, should be immediately modified, and on the 15th of March, accordingly, it was arranged, by command of the magistrates, that all Catholics should have permission to attend public worship, according to the ancient ceremonial, in the church of Saint Michael, which had been originally designated for the use of the new Duke of Brabant.  It was, however, stipulated that all who desired to partake of this privilege should take the oath of abjuration beforehand, and go to the church without arms.

Here then had been oaths enough, orations enough, compliments enough, to make any agreement steadfast, so far as windy suspirations could furnish a solid foundation for the social compact.  Bells, trumpets, and the brazen throats of men and of cannons had made a sufficient din, torches and tar-barrels had made a sufficient glare, to confirm—­so far as noise and blazing pitch could confirm—­the decorous proceedings of church and town-house, but time was soon to show the value of such demonstrations.  Meantime, the “muzzle” had been fastened with solemnity and accepted with docility.  The terms of the treaty concluded at Plessis lea Tours and Bordeaux were made public.  The Duke had subscribed to twenty-seven articles; which made as stringent and sensible a constitutional compact as could be desired by any Netherland patriot.  These articles, taken in connection with the ancient charters which they expressly upheld, left to the new sovereign no vestige of arbitrary power.  He was merely the hereditary president of a representative republic.  He was to be Duke, Count, Margrave, or Seignior of the different provinces on the same terms which his predecessors had accepted.  He was to transmit the dignities to his children.  If there were more than one child, the provinces were to select one of the number for their sovereign.  He was to maintain all the ancient privileges, charters, statutes, and customs, and to forfeit his sovereignty at the first violation.  He was to assemble the states-general at least once a year.  He was always to reside in the Netherlands.  He was to permit none but natives to hold office.  His right of appointment to all important posts was limited to a selection from three candidates, to be proposed by the estates of the province concerned, at each vacancy.  He was to maintain “the Religion” and the religious peace in the same state in which they then were, or as should afterwards be ordained by the estates of each province, without making any innovation on his own part.  Holland and Zealand were to remain as they were, both in the matter of religion and otherwise.  His Highness was not to permit that any one should be examined or molested in his house, or otherwise, in the matter or under pretext of religion.  He was to procure the assistance of the King of France for the Netherlands.  He was to maintain a perfect and a perpetual league, offensive and defensive, between that kingdom and the provinces; without; however, permitting any incorporation of territory.  He was to carry on the war against Spain with his own means and those furnished by his royal brother, in addition to a yearly, contribution by the estates of two million four hundred thousand guldens.  He was to dismiss all troops at command of the states-general.  He was to make no treaty with Spain without their consent.