Nothing could be more logical, nothing more historically accurate.  But those plain-spoken republicans saw no advantage in beginning a negotiation for peace on the basis of their independence by permitting the archduke to call himself their sovereign, and to seal solemn state papers with their signet.  It might seem picturesque to genealogical minds, it might be soothing to royal vanity, that paste counterfeits should be substituted for vanished jewels.  It would be cruelty to destroy the mock glitter without cause.  But there was cause.  On this occasion the sham was dangerous.  James Stuart might call himself King of France.  He was not more likely to take practical possession of that kingdom than of the mountains in the moon.  Henry of Bourbon was not at present contemplating an invasion of the hereditary possessions of the house of Albret.  It was a matter of indifference to the Netherlands whether Philip iii. were crowned in Jerusalem that very day, or the week afterwards, or never.  It was very important however that the United Provinces should have it thoroughly recognised that they were a free and independent republic, nor could that recognition be complete so long as any human being in the whole world called himself their master, and signed with their seals of state. “’Tis absurd,” said the Hollanders, “to use the names and arms of our provinces.  We have as yet no precedent to prove that you consider the United Provinces as lost, and name and arms to be but wind.”  Barneveld reminded them that they had all expressed the most straightforward intention, and that the father commissary especially had pledged his very soul for the sincerity of the king and the archdukes.  “We ourselves never wished and never could deceive any one,” continued the Advocate, “and it is also very difficult for others to deceive us.”

This being the universal sentiment of the Netherlanders, it was thought proper to express it in respectful but vigorous language.  This was done and the session was terminated.  Tile Spanish envoys, knowing very well that neither the king nor the archduke regarded the retention of the titles and seals of all the seventeen Netherlands as an empty show, but that a secret and solid claim lurked beneath that usurpation, were very indignant.  They however dissembled their wrath from the States’ commissioners.  They were unwilling that the negotiations should be broken up at the very first session, and they felt that neither Prince Maurice nor Barneveld was to be trifled with upon this point.  But they were loud and magnificent in their demonstrations when they came to talk the matter over with the ambassadors of France and England.  It was most portentous, they thought, to the cause of monarchy and good government all over the world, that these republicans, not content to deal with kings and princes on a footing of equality, should presume to dictate to them as to inferiors.  Having passed through rebellion to liberty, they were now proceeding