foretell how soon it would occur.  In the meantime, it was the Prince’s cue to make use of this sunshine while it lasted.  Already, so soon as the union of 25th of April had been concluded between Holland and Zealand, he had forced the estates to open negotiations with France.  The provinces, although desirous to confer sovereignty upon him, were indisposed to renounce their old allegiance to their King in order to place it at the disposal of a foreigner.  Nevertheless, a resolution, at the reiterated demands of Orange, was passed by the estates, to proceed to the change of master, and, for that, purpose, to treat with the King of France, his brother, or any other foreign potentate, who would receive these provinces of Holland and Zealand under his government and protection.  Negotiations were accordingly opened with the Duke-of-Anjou, the dilettante leader of the Huguenots at that remarkable juncture.  It was a pity that no better champion could be looked for among the anointed of the earth than the false, fickle, foolish Alencon, whose career, everywhere contemptible, was nowhere so flagitious as in the Netherlands.  By the fourteenth article of the Peace of Paris, the Prince was reinstated and secured in his principality of Orange; and his other possessions in France.  The best feeling; for the time being, was manifested between the French court and the Reformation.

Thus much for England and France.  As for Germany, the prospects of the Netherlands were not flattering.  The Reforming spirit had grown languid, from various causes.  The self-seeking motives of many Protestant princes had disgusted the nobles.  Was that the object of the bloody wars of religion, that a few potentates should be enabled to enrich themselves by confiscating the broad lands and accumulated treasures of the Church?  Had the creed of Luther been embraced only for such unworthy ends?  These suspicions chilled the ardor of thousands, particularly among the greater ones of the land.  Moreover, the discord among the Reformers themselves waxed daily, and became more and more mischievous.  Neither the people nor their leaders could learn that, not a new doctrine, but a wise toleration for all Christian doctrines was wanted.  Of new doctrines there was no lack.  Lutherans, Calvinists, Flaccianists, Majorists, Adiaphorists, Brantianists, Ubiquitists, swarmed and contended pell-mell.  In this there would have been small harm, if the Reformers had known what reformation meant.  But they could not invent or imagine toleration.  All claimed the privilege of persecuting.  There were sagacious and honest men among the great ones of the country, but they were but few.  Wise William of Hesse strove hard to effect a concordia among the jarring sects; Count John of Nassau, though a passionate Calvinist, did no less; while the Elector of Saxony, on the other hand, raging and roaring like a bull of Bashan, was for sacrificing the interest of millions on the altar of his personal spite.  Cursed was his tribe if he forgave the Prince.  He had done what he could at the Diet of Ratisbon to exclude all Calvinists from a participation in the religious peace of Germany, and he redoubled his efforts to prevent the extension of any benefits to the Calvinists of the Netherlands.  These determinations had remained constant and intense.