Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Decline And Fall Of The Dutch Republic.
htiinperio , this frittering away of authority , this endless subdivision of power in a state , thewhole of whose extent and population scarcely entitled it to the dignity of independent sovereignty , must produce timidity aud sluggishness in their councils , and feebleness and inefficiency in their execution . Vainly was it endeavoured to be obviated by making' the stadtholderate hereditary , and increasing the patronage and influence annexed to that office ; a temporary calm ensued , but the jealousy of republicanism was awakened , convulsive struggles ensued , and the stadtholderate and the aristocracy are buried in one
common rum . IV . Few princes , with intentions equally good and talents equally respeaable , have so entirely failed in acquiring present fame , and commanding the esteem of posterity , as the late Emperor Joseph . With the eye of a philosophic politician he contemplated the advantages which the inhabitants ofthe Austrian Netherlands mig ht derive from the navigation of the Scheldtwith the ardour of a patriotic
; Sovereign he boldly prepared to assert their claims ; but at the m 6-ment of trial he shrunk pusillanimously from the contest , and , contented with private emolument , forgot the care of the public , and the felicity of generations yet unborn . Animated with the thirst of military glory , he sought the opportunity of combating the enemies of the christian name , and after a series of ill condua , disappointment , and
defeat , he left to the aged Laudohn the task of reaifying his mistakes , restoring his honour , and once more accustoming the troops of Austria to conquest and superiority . The friend of toleration , he sought to destroy every species of superstitious restraints ; but by Hs indiscreet zeal against monastic institutions , he alienated the affeaion of the people of the Low Countries , and kindled the flame of revolt in the midst of his empire . Forgetful that the reasons for alliance
between great and rival communities are transient and unstable , while the causes of hostility are . perpetually recurring and incessantly operating , he flattered himself that the marriage of Louis and Antoinette would forever cement the rival interests of Bourbon and Austria ; in the assurance of this hope , he destroyed the _ barriers of the Low Countries , and exposed his most valuable provinces to be subjugated b implacable foe The armies of France were enabled to bend
y an . their course from the Sambre to the Rhine , and compel the Germans to contend , in the heart of their dominions , for the independence of their country , and the safety of its head . The tide of devastation and conquest flowed without opposition from the walls of Lisle to the gates of Amsterdam ; and the Imperial troops , necessarily occupied in the defence of their own frontier , left Holland to be defended by its unworth
own inhabitants , who by their condua evinced they were y the aid which associated valour mig ht have bestowed . A total degeneracy gave energy to the operation of every natural and political disadvantage under which the United Provinces laboured , and this renowned republic has sunk into oblivion , without one generous exertion to avert its fall , without the display of one virtue which would lead us to deplore its fate .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Decline And Fall Of The Dutch Republic.
htiinperio , this frittering away of authority , this endless subdivision of power in a state , thewhole of whose extent and population scarcely entitled it to the dignity of independent sovereignty , must produce timidity aud sluggishness in their councils , and feebleness and inefficiency in their execution . Vainly was it endeavoured to be obviated by making' the stadtholderate hereditary , and increasing the patronage and influence annexed to that office ; a temporary calm ensued , but the jealousy of republicanism was awakened , convulsive struggles ensued , and the stadtholderate and the aristocracy are buried in one
common rum . IV . Few princes , with intentions equally good and talents equally respeaable , have so entirely failed in acquiring present fame , and commanding the esteem of posterity , as the late Emperor Joseph . With the eye of a philosophic politician he contemplated the advantages which the inhabitants ofthe Austrian Netherlands mig ht derive from the navigation of the Scheldtwith the ardour of a patriotic
; Sovereign he boldly prepared to assert their claims ; but at the m 6-ment of trial he shrunk pusillanimously from the contest , and , contented with private emolument , forgot the care of the public , and the felicity of generations yet unborn . Animated with the thirst of military glory , he sought the opportunity of combating the enemies of the christian name , and after a series of ill condua , disappointment , and
defeat , he left to the aged Laudohn the task of reaifying his mistakes , restoring his honour , and once more accustoming the troops of Austria to conquest and superiority . The friend of toleration , he sought to destroy every species of superstitious restraints ; but by Hs indiscreet zeal against monastic institutions , he alienated the affeaion of the people of the Low Countries , and kindled the flame of revolt in the midst of his empire . Forgetful that the reasons for alliance
between great and rival communities are transient and unstable , while the causes of hostility are . perpetually recurring and incessantly operating , he flattered himself that the marriage of Louis and Antoinette would forever cement the rival interests of Bourbon and Austria ; in the assurance of this hope , he destroyed the _ barriers of the Low Countries , and exposed his most valuable provinces to be subjugated b implacable foe The armies of France were enabled to bend
y an . their course from the Sambre to the Rhine , and compel the Germans to contend , in the heart of their dominions , for the independence of their country , and the safety of its head . The tide of devastation and conquest flowed without opposition from the walls of Lisle to the gates of Amsterdam ; and the Imperial troops , necessarily occupied in the defence of their own frontier , left Holland to be defended by its unworth
own inhabitants , who by their condua evinced they were y the aid which associated valour mig ht have bestowed . A total degeneracy gave energy to the operation of every natural and political disadvantage under which the United Provinces laboured , and this renowned republic has sunk into oblivion , without one generous exertion to avert its fall , without the display of one virtue which would lead us to deplore its fate .