discover the causes of that animosity against him which immediately on his departure was virulently displayed. The services performed by the first princes of the house of Orange were rewarded by the republic with the highest employments of dignity and trust in the state, and the confidence of the nation was not abused by the illustrious chiefs to whom power was thus delegated. The splendid abilities of the first stadtholders, and their successes in wars and negociations, happily asserted and established with renown the independence of the United Provinces. If their enemies have accused them with justice of uniformly endeavouring to extend their authority at the expence of the liberties of the people, the lustre of their glories threw a veil over their ambition, and the solid benefits they conferred on the state were gratefully acknowledged by the sternest republicans. For upwards of a hundred years, under an auspicious succession of five princes of the house of Orange, the United Provinces flourished in arms, riches, and arts. A territory of small geographical extent ranked
