Preparations for the campaign of 1606—­Diminution of Maurice’s popularity—­Quarrel between the pope and the Venetian republic—­ Surprise of Sluys by Du Terrail—­Dilatoriness of the republic’s operations—­Movements of Spinola—­Influence of the weather on the military transactions of the year—­Endeavours of Spinola to obtain possession of the Waal and Yssel—­Surrender of Lochem to Spinola—­ Siege of Groll—­Siege and loss of Rheinberg—­Mutiny in the Catholic army—­Recovery of Lochem by Maurice—­Attempted recovery of Groll—­ Sudden appearance of the enemy—­Withdrawal of the besieging army Close of the campaign—­End of the war of independence—­Motives of the Prince in his actions before Groll—­Cruise of Admiral Haultain to the coast of Spain and Portugal—­His encounter with the war—­ ships of Fazardo—­Courageous conduct of the vice-admiral—­Deaths of Justus Lipsius, Hohenlo, and Count John of Nassau.

After the close of the campaign of 1605 Spinola had gone once more to Spain.  On his passage through Paris he had again been received with distinguished favour by that warm ally of the Dutch republic, Henry iv., and on being questioned by that monarch as to his plans for the next campaign had replied that he intended once more to cross the Rhine, and invade Friesland.  Henry, convinced that the Genoese would of course not tell him the truth on such an occasion, wrote accordingly to the States-General that they might feel safe as to their eastern frontier.  Whatever else might happen, Friesland and the regions adjacent would be safe next year from attack.  The immediate future was to show whether the subtle Italian had not compassed as neat a deception by telling the truth as coarser politicians could do by falsehood.

Spinola found the royal finances in most dismal condition.  Three hundred thousand dollars a month were the least estimate of the necessary expenses for carrying on the Netherland war, a sum which could not possibly be spared by Lerma, Uceda, the Marquis of the Seven Churches, and other financiers then industriously occupied in draining dry the exchequer for their own uses.  Once more the general aided his sovereign with purse and credit, as well as with his sword.  Once more the exchange at Genoa was glutted with the acceptances of Marquis Spinola.  Here at least was a man of a nature not quite so depraved as that of the parasites bred out of the corruption of a noble but dying commonwealth, and doubtless it was with gentle contempt that the great favourite and his friends looked at the military and financial enthusiasm of the volunteer.  It was so much more sagacious to make a princely fortune than to sacrifice one already inherited, in the service of one’s country.

Spinola being thus ready not only to fight but to help to pay for the fighting, found his plans of campaigns received with great benignity by the king and his ministers.  Meantime there was much delay.  The enormous labours thus devolved upon one pair of shoulders by the do-nothing king and a mayor of the palace whose soul was absorbed by his own private robberies, were almost too much for human strength.  On his return to the Netherlands Spinola fell dangerously ill in Genoa.