trying to bring her into a public war, in which she is to risk her
treasure and the blood of her subjects against the greatest potentates of
the world, and you hesitate meantime at giving her such security as is
required for the very defence of the Provinces themselves. The deputies
are coming hither to offer the sovereignty to her Majesty, as was
recently done in France, or, if that should not prove acceptable, they
are to ask assistance in men and money upon a mere 'taliter qualiter'
guaranty. That's not the way. And there are plenty of ill-disposed
persons here to take advantage of this position of affairs to ruin the
interest of the Provinces now placed on so good a footing. Moreover, in
this perpetual sending of despatches back and forth, much precious time
is consumed; and this is exactly what our enemies most desire."

In accordance with Walsingham's urgent suggestions, Ortel wrote at once
to his constituents, imploring them to remedy this matter. Do not
allow," he said, any, more time to be wasted. Let us not painfully,
build a wall only to knock our own heads against it, to the dismay of our
friends and the gratification of our enemies."

It was at last arranged that an important blank should be left in the
articles to be brought by the deputies, upon which vacant place the names
of certain cautionary towns, afterwards to be agreed upon, were to be
inscribed by common consent.

Meantime the English ministers were busy in preparing to receive the
commissioners, and to bring the Netherland matter handsomely before the
legislature.

The integrity, the caution, the thrift, the hesitation, which
characterized Elizabeth's government, were well pourtrayed in the