CHAPTER I.
Murder of Orange--Extension of Protestantism--Vast Power of Spain-- Religious Origin of the Revolt--Disposal of the Sovereignty--Courage of the Estates of Holland--Children of William the Silent-- Provisional Council of State--Firm attitude of Holland and Zeeland-- Weakness of Flanders--Fall of Ghent--Adroitness of Alexander Farnese.
WILLIAM THE SILENT, Prince of Orange, had been murdered on the 10th of July, 1584.

It is difficult to imagine a more universal disaster than the one thus brought about by the hand of a single obscure fanatic.

For nearly twenty years the character of the Prince had been expanding steadily as the difficulties of his situation increased.

Habit, necessity, and the natural gifts of the man, had combined to invest him at last with an authority which seemed more than human.

There was such general confidence in his sagacity, courage, and purity, that the nation had come to think with his brain and to act with his hand.