prepared by government, and were refused.  Thus, they were forbidden to use the testimony in their favor, while that which was to be employed against them was kept secret.  Finally, the proceedings were formally concluded on the 1st of June, and the papers laid before the Duke.  The mass of matter relating to these two monster processes was declared, three days afterwards to have been examined—­a physical impossibility in itself—­and judgment was pronounced upon the 4th of June.  This issue was precipitated by the campaign of Louis Nassau in Friesland, forming a aeries of important events which it will be soon our duty to describe.  It is previously necessary, however, to add a few words in elucidation of the two mock trials which have been thus briefly sketched.

The proceeding had been carried on, from first to last, under protest by the prisoners, under a threat of contumacy on the part of the government.  Apart from the totally irresponsible and illegal character of the tribunal before which they were summoned—­the Blood-Council being a private institution of Alva’s without pretext or commission—­these nobles acknowledged the jurisdiction of but three courts.  As Knights of the Golden Fleece, both claimed the privilege of that Order to be tried by its statutes.  As a citizen and noble of Brabant, Egmont claimed the protection of the “Joyeuse Entree,” a constitution which had been sworn to by Philip and his ancestors, and by Philip more amply, than by all his ancestors.  As a member and Count of the Holy Roman Empire, the Admiral claimed to be tried by his peers, the electors and princes of the realm.

The Countess Egmont, since her husband’s arrest, and the confiscation of his estates before judgment, had been reduced to a life of poverty as well as agony.  With her eleven children, all of tender age, she had taken refuge in a convent.  Frantic with despair, more utterly desolate, and more deeply wronged than high-born lady had often been before, she left no stone unturned to save her husband from his fate, or at least to obtain for him an impartial and competent tribunal.  She addressed the Duke of Alva, the King, the Emperor, her brother the Elector Palatine, and many leading Knights of the Fleece.  The Countess Dowager of Horn, both whose sons now lay in the jaws of death, occupied herself also with the most moving appeals to the same high personages.  No pains were spared to make the triple plea to the jurisdiction valid.  The leading Knights of the Fleece, Mansfeld, whose loyalty was unquestioned, and Hoogstraaten, although himself an outlaw; called upon the King of Spain to protect the statutes of the illustrious order of which he was the chief.  The estates of Brabant, upon the petition of Sabina, Countess Egmont, that they would take to heart the privileges of the province, so that her husband might enjoy that protection of which the meanest citizen in the land could not be justly deprived, addressed a feeble and trembling protest to Alva, and enclosed to him the lady’s petition.  The Emperor, on behalf of Count Horn, wrote personally to Philip, to claim for him a trial before the members of the realm.