CHAP.
LXV.
I67i.
Confterna-tion of theDutch.
poffeffion of places , which might afterwardsferve to retain the people in fubjedtion. Hiscouncil was followed ; though it was found , foonafter, to have been the mod impolitic.
Meanwhile the people, throughout the re-public, inftead of collecting a noble indignationagainfl the haughty conqueror, difcharged theirrage upon their own unhappy minifter, on whofeprudence and integrity every one formerlybellowed the merited applaufe. The bad condi-tion of the armies was laid to his charge: Theill choice of governors was afcnbed to his par-tiality: As inftances of cowardice multiplied,treachery was fufpefted; and his former connec-tions with France being remembered, the populacebelieved, that he and his partifans had now com-bined to betray them to their moll mortal enemy.The prince of Orange , notwithftanding hisyouth and inexperience, was looked on as theonly faviour of the Hate; and men were violentlydriven by their fears into his party, to whichthey had always been led by favor and incli-nation.
Amsterdam alone feemed to retain fomecourage; and by forming a regular plan ofdefence, endeavoured to infufe fpirit into theother cities. The magiftrates obliged the bur-geffes to keep a ftridl watch. The populace, whomwant of employment might engage to mutiny ,were maintained by regular pay, and armed forthe defence of the public. Some Ihips, whichlay ufelefs in the harbour, were refitted, and