History of the United Netherlands, 1592-94
- Pages
- about 83
- Category
- History
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 1.5 h at 250 wpm
From the opening
Influence of the rule and character of Philip II.--Heroism of the
sixteenth century--Contest for the French throne--Character and
policy of the Duke of Mayenne--Escape of the Duke of Guise from
Castle Tours--Propositions for the marriage of the Infanta--Plotting
of the Catholic party--Grounds of Philip's pretensions to the crown
of France--Motives of the Duke of Parma maligned by Commander Moreo
--He justifies himself to the king--View of the private relations
between Philip and the Duke of Mayenne and their sentiments towards
each other--Disposition of the French politicians and soldiers
towards Philip--Peculiar commercial pursuits of Philip--Confused
state of affairs in France--Treachery of Philip towards the Duke of
Parma--Recall of the duke to Spain--His sufferings and death.
The People--which has been generally regarded as something naturally
below its rulers, and as born to be protected and governed, paternally or
otherwise, by an accidental selection from its own species, which by some
mysterious process has shot up much nearer to heaven than itself--is
often described as brutal, depraved, self-seeking, ignorant, passionate,
licentious, and greedy.
It is fitting, therefore, that its protectors should be distinguished, at
great epochs of the world's history, by an absence of such objectionable
qualities.
It must be confessed, however, that if the world had waited for heroes--
during the dreary period which followed the expulsion of something that
was called Henry III. of France from the gates of his capital, and
especially during the time that followed hard upon the decease of that
embodiment of royalty--its axis must have ceased to turn for a long
succession of years. The Bearnese was at least alive, and a man. He
played his part with consummate audacity and skill; but alas for an epoch
or a country in which such a shape--notwithstanding all its engaging and
even commanding qualities--looked upon as an incarnation of human
greatness!
A short sample. Read the whole book
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