History and Language
of Orange has ever enjoyed to so great an extent the confidence of the nation. His strong individuality; his perspicacity in unmasking and foiling Spanish intrigues; the selling of all his chattels, even to his silver table-ware, to meet the expenses of the war; the price placed on his head by the Spaniards, who thereby recognized his importance as the leader of the revolt; the death of three of his brothers on the battlefield, all stamp him as the organizing spirit of the revolt against Spanish rule. When he died he uttered words treasured to-day: “God have mercy upon me, and upon my unfortunate people!” Following in his steps, the House of Orange has ever endeared itself to its subjects by studying their pronounced individualism, and to that House is due the prominent part which Holland played in the annals of the seventeenth century. Hence the undying affec-
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