Yet he was hardly suspected of bearing within him the germs of the great military commander.

"Small desire hath Count Maurice to follow the wars," said one who fancied himself an acute observer at exactly this epoch.
"And whereas it might be supposed that in respect to his birth and place, he would affect the chief military command in these countries, it is found by experience had of his humour, that there is no chance of his entering into competition with the others." A modest young man, who could bide his time--but who, meanwhile, under the guidance of his elders, was doing his best, both in field and cabinet, to learn the great lessons of the age--he had already enjoyed much solid practical instruction, under such a desperate fighter as Hohenlo, and under so profound a statesman as Barneveld.

For at this epoch Olden-Barneveld was the preceptor, almost the political patron of Maurice, and Maurice, the official head of the Holland party, was the declared opponent of the democratic-Calvinist organization.

It is not necessary, at this early moment, to foreshadow the changes which time was to bring.

Meantime it would be seen, perhaps ere long, whether or no, it would be his humour to follow the wars.