History of the United Netherlands, 1588



CHAPTER XVIII. Part 2.

Dangerous Discord in North Holland--Leicester's Resignation arrives
--Enmity of Willoughby and Maurice--Willoughby's dark Picture of
Affairs--Hatred between States and Leicestrians--Maurice's Answer to
the Queen's Charges--End of Sonoy's Rebellion--Philip foments the
Civil War in France--League's Threats and Plots against Henry--Mucio
arrives in Paris--He is received with Enthusiasm--The King flies,
and Spain triumphs in Paris--States expostulate with the Queen--
English Statesmen still deceived--Deputies from Netherland Churches
--Hold Conference with the Queen--And present long Memorials--More
Conversations with the Queen--National Spirit of England and
Holland--Dissatisfaction with Queen's Course--Bitter Complaints of
Lord Howard--Want of Preparation in Army and Navy--Sanguine
Statements of Leicester--Activity of Parma--The painful Suspense
continues.


But it is necessary-in order to obtain a complete picture of that famous
year 1588, and to understand the cause from which such great events were
springing--to cast a glance at the internal politics of the States most
involved in Philip's meshes.

Certainly, if there had ever been a time when the new commonwealth of the
Netherlands should be both united in itself and on thoroughly friendly
terms with England, it was exactly that epoch of which we are treating.