180 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

CHAP.

LXV.

1672 .

Consterna-tion us theDutch.

possession of places , which might afterwardsserve to retain the people in subjection. Hiscouncil was followed; though it was found , soonafter, to have been the most impolitic.

Meanwhile the people, throughout the re-public, instead of collecting a noble indignationagainst the haughty conqueror, discharged theirrage upon their own unhappy minister, on whoseprudence and integrity every one formerlybestowed the merited applause. The bad condi-tion of the armies was laid to his charge : Theill choice of governors was ascribed to his par-tiality : As instances of cowardice multiplied ,treachery was suspected ; and his former connec-tions with France being remembered, the populacebelieved, that he and his partisans had now com-bined to betray them to their most mortal enemy.The prince of Orange , notwithstanding hisyouth and inexperience, was looked on as theonly saviour of the state; and men were violentlydriven by their fears into his party, to whichthey had always been led by favor and incli-nation.

Amsterdam alone seemed to retain somecourage; and by forming a regular plan ofdefence, endeavoured to infuse spirit into theother cities. The magistrates obliged the bur-gesses to keep a strict watch. The populace, whomwant of employment might engage to mutiny ,were maintained by regular pay, and armed forthe defence of the pujplic. Some ships, whichlay useless in the harbour, were refitted, and