Черный тюльпан
A Grateful People
ThebrothersDeWitt,therefore,hadtostriveagainstadoubledifficulty,—againsttheforceofnationalantipathy,and,besides,againstthefeelingofwearinesswhichisnaturaltoallvanquishedpeople,whentheyhopethatanewchiefwillbeabletosavethemfromruinandshame.
Thisnewchief,quitereadytoappearonthepoliticalstage,andtomeasurehimselfagainstLouisXIV.,howevergiganticthefortunesoftheGrandMonarchloomedinthefuture,wasWilliam,PrinceofOrange,sonofWilliamII.,andgrandson,byhismotherHenriettaStuart,ofCharlesI.ofEngland.WehavementionedhimbeforeasthepersonbywhomthepeopleexpectedtoseetheofficeofStadtholderrestored.
Thisyoungmanwas,in1672,twenty-twoyearsofage.JohndeWitt,whowashistutor,hadbroughthimupwiththeviewofmakinghimagoodcitizen.Lovinghiscountrybetterthanhedidhisdisciple,themasterhad,bythePerpetualEdict,extinguishedthehopewhichtheyoungPrincemighthaveentertainedofonedaybecomingStadtholder.ButGodlaughsatthepresumptionofman,whowantstoraiseandprostratethepowersonearthwithoutconsultingtheKingabove;andtheficklenessandcapriceoftheDutchcombinedwiththeterrorinspiredbyLouisXIV.,inrepealingthePerpetualEdict,andre-establishingtheofficeofStadtholderinfavourofWilliamofOrange,forwhomthehandofProvidencehadtracedoutulteriordestiniesonthehiddenmapofthefuture.
