The important city of Enkhuyzen, too, was very near being secured for the Earl, but a still more significant movement was made at Leyden.

That heroic city, ever since the famous siege of 1574, in which the Spaniard had been so signally foiled, had distinguished itself by great liberality of sentiment in religious matters.

The burghers were inspired by a love of country, and a hatred of oppression, both civil and, ecclesiastical; and Papists and Protestants, who had fought side by side against the common foe, were not disposed to tear each other to pieces, now that he had been excluded from their gates.

Meanwhile, however, refugee Flemings and Brabantines had sought an asylum in the city, and being, as usual, of the strictest sect of the Calvinists were shocked at the latitudinarianism which prevailed.

To the honour of the city--as it seems to us now--but, to their horror, it was even found that one or two Papists had seats in the magistracy.