rise in a mass, scarcely procured the additional strength of fifty recruits to the Dutch array. It was then ordered throughout the United Provinces, that three houses should furnish one man among them for the defence of the republic; but the antipathy of the nation to the stadtholder's government prevented the execution of this plan.
Under these circumstances of almost universal irritation and discontent, the intelligence of the Prince of Orange's flight was generally received with transports of joy. Policy, or the fear of giving offence to the predominate party, if they acted otherwise, undoubtedly induced some to affect the popular enthusiasm, and some, for no solid reasons desirous of a change, rejoiced they knew not why; but a vast majority, fully expressing the voice and wish of the nation, beheld with the most sincere pleasure, notwithstanding the calamitous circumstances which made it necessary, the abdication of the stadtholder.
The moderation which marked the first acts of the French commanders and representatives,
