I was thus saved a long visit to the Archives of Simancas, for it would
be impossible conscientiously to write the history of the epoch without a
thorough examination of the correspondence of the King and his ministers.
I venture to hope, therefore--whatever judgment may be passed upon my own
labours--that this work may be thought to possess an intrinsic value; for
the various materials of which it is composed are original, and--so far
as I am aware--have not been made use of by any historical writer.

I would take this opportunity to repeat my thanks to M. Gachard,
Archivist of the kingdom of Belgium, for the uniform courtesy and
kindness which I have received at his-hands, and to bear my testimony to
the skill and critical accuracy with which he has illustrated so many
passages of Belgian and Spanish history.

31, HERTFORD-STREET, MAY-FAIR,
November llth 1860.




THE UNITED NETHERLANDS.

CHAPTER I.

Murder of Orange--Extension of Protestantism--Vast Power of Spain--
Religious Origin of the Revolt--Disposal of the Sovereignty--Courage
of the Estates of Holland--Children of William the Silent--
Provisional Council of State--Firm attitude of Holland and Zeeland--
Weakness of Flanders--Fall of Ghent--Adroitness of Alexander