to be understood of Privateers CHAP. XIX Of the particular Government of the Towns in Holland VVE have seen hitherto what is the Government of the whole Body of the United Provinces now we may descend to the particular Towns The Towns are govern'd by a Bailif a Senate or Councill by Bourgmasters or Consuls and by Aldermen There is but one Bailif in each Town who to say true has no power of himself to pronounce judgement but in criminal Causes he is as it were an Attourney-Generall and manages accusations against offenders in the name of the States This is done before the Aldermen who have power to examine the heads of the accusation and to pronounce sentence The Bailifs have no Sallary and all the profit of their places rises from the Fines that are lay'd upon the guilty The Senate and the greatest is that which is call'd Den breeden raâ—dâ— or De Vroedschap in most Towns as at Leyden it is compos'd of about fourty persons according to the number of the richest Citizens more or less The ancient Laws admit none to be of this Senate but such as are of the richer sort This Assembly seldome meets but upon the occasion of choosing new Magistrates as also when the States of the Province are to meet then the heads of the Deliberations are examin'd in this Senate before-hand They do also controle and correct their Bourgmasters and Aldermen if in the Assembly of the States they chance to go beyond their Commission And to the end they may do it without fear it has been ordain'd by our wise Ancestours that the charge of Senatour should be perpetuall that so they may not fear to be persecuted for what they shall do in the defence of the publick liberty The Bourgmasters and Aldermen are chosen from amongst these Senatours by the plurality of voices In some places there are four Bourgmasters and in some there are but two Their Office is to determine all that concerns the good order of the Town as also to inform themselves of all the fallings out of the Citizens and bring them either by themselves or others to an agreement which if they cannot compass then their duty is to cite them before the Aldermen They meet in a common Chamber and give audience to all Inhabitants without distinction In some places there are seven Aldermen in others nine They are the Judges of the Town who meet three or four set times a week and determine all civill Causes between the Inhabitants and judge all crimes propos'd by the Bailif For the first cognizance of the Cause belongs to the Judge of the place where he that is cited dwells Except they be priviledged Causes the Towns judge of no greater summe than five pounds and the Bourghs of thirty shillings though in very great Cities they may judge as far as thirty pound The appeal is first to the Court of the Province and then to the great Councill where there is a double number of Judges they that are cast are fin'd for having appeal'd without reason In the Court of the Province the Fine is three pound ten shillings in the great Councill of six pound and when the Process is re-viewed if the sentence be confirm'd the Fine is of twenty pound As for criminall Causes the Judges are absolute and there is no appeal from them neither in the Villages nor in the Towns except the Bailif require that the criminall should undergo a severer punishment and then the accused has liberty to defend himself There are two sort of Laws in Holland the first sort is the Customes Priviledges and Constitutions of the Countrey and former Princes and of the States The second is the Roman Law call'd the Civill Law Moreover that the course of justice be not retarded nor the Judges time taken up in petty businesses there are chosen by the Aldermen a certain number of the richer sort of Citizens who are call'd Commissaries of small Causes These take cognizance of all Causes that are not above five pound as also of all Actions for reparation of Honour and of the Differences between Masters and Servants and such like An Alderman presides ordinarily in this Assembly and is ordinarily a good Civilian There is also in the Senate or Town-House and in the Colledge of the Bourgmasters one who is call'd a Syndiâ— or Pensioner who ought to be eloquent and learn'd as being the Speaker of the whole Town or Corporation in their most important affairs CHAP. XX. Of the Tributes and Imposts of how many sorts they are and of the manner of levying them in Holland SInce as Tacitus sayes there is no War without pay nor no pay without tributes and that that is the particular case of the United Provinces who have been long in War to which they have all contributed their share it is fit to consider of the wayes they use to levy them There are two sorts of Tributes the ordinary and the extraordinary The ordinary which being once granted are alwayes continued the extraordinary which are levied but for some certain time and are then left off There are three sorts of extraordinary Tributes viz. the Tribute by Head or Pole-money the Chimney-money and the Land Taxes The Pole-money is so levied that the State has twenty pence for every Head they that are extream poor are freed from this Tribute To my remembrance this was never practis'd but once and then too there was great murmuring and many refus'd to pay The Chimney-money is that Tribute which is paid for every Chimney or Hearth which is twenty pence and in this the Hollanders have imitated the Spaniards in the Kingdome of Naples The third Tribute call'd a Land Taxe may be properly call'd the two hundredth penny for out of two hundred pound a year for example is paid one pound to the States So out of four hundred two pounds or fourty shillings To this may be objected that it is a very hard thing if not impossible for the perfect knowledge of the true value of mens Estates to be had It is answer'd that the Magistrate does take his measure from the publick voice and the generall report that any man has to have such and such revenues And because in this there is room for a mistake the Law gives any man leave to complain of the greatness of his Taxe and if he will take his Oath he is not worth so much as the world values his Estate at his Taxe shall be moderated As for the ordinary Tributes the chief are these following 1. The Tribute from Salt call'd in Dutch Sonte geldt it is levied after this manner The Magistrate of the Town visits each Family and reckons every head of it then they guess at the quantity of Salt that they may reasonably be thought to spend in one year and thereupon they exact from them a summe of money proportionable to the quantity of Salt they are to have And in some Towns they set a price upon the
represented in a Tragedie to which there is great flocking Now let us say something about their way of selling Houses Gardens c. 'T is ordinarily about the end of November till February that Houses are to be sold. There is a note set up declaring the situation of the House the Owner the Neighbours the name of him that lives in it and his Trade and lastly the House where the Bargain is to be driven on a set day The day being come all those that have a mind to it come to the House appointed which is ordinarily a Tavern And thus the business is managed An Attorney with a Cryer goes through all the Chambers where there is Company reads the Conditions upon which it is to be sold and declares whether there be any Rent charg'd upon it or no. The Cryer asks them if they have all heard and observ'd well what has been read and who amongst them will seâ—â— a price upon the House For example a House shall be worth 600. pound and in the first Chamber there will be offer'd 320. then the Cryer goes to the second Chamber and tells them that the House has been already valued at 320. thereupon it may be some body offers 20. more Then he goes to the third and so to all and it may be the House is rais'd to 400. pounds Then he comes back to the first and tells them Gentlemen the House is valued at 400. then it may be some body addes 20. more The Cryer goes back to all the Chambers and if no body offer more he goes to the seller and tells him what is offer'd for his House if â—he does not like the price he bids the Cryer 〈◊〉 that if there be any body that will speak to the seller he may come to him And if he be very desirous to be rid of his House then he sends a Duccatoon or two with this condition that he that will raise 50. pound in the price shall have the money The Cryer goes back and tells the company then he that sayes first to me has the money Then the Cryer goes back and his Master gives him more money for example if the first were two Duccatoons for 50. pounds the second money shall be two Duccatoons and two Angels in gold for him that shall bid 30. pound more If that be taken then he brings a greater summe still till there be no body left that will take any more money and all those that do take any are oblig'd to declare their names This being done it may be does not yet make up above 500. pound then the Cryer tells them Gentlemen my Master would fain make 600. pound of his House I will bate the other 100. pound by degrees then he begins 90. 80. 70. 60. 50. 40. 30. 20. 10. till there be some body that speaks and then the House is sold for 500. pound and so much odd money as hath been taken If he bate all and no body speak then he that took the last money is the buyer and must give in security the same night If it happen that some body has drawn money under hopes of being out-bid with intention to keep the money if unluckily for him no body does out-bid him he must take the House if he can give no security he is carried to prison and publickly whipt to give example to the rest The House thus sold and security given the buyer is to pay all the charges which come to 10. pounds at least so that they that have been there are scot-free The Gardens and Tombs are sold ordinarily after the same manner the money to be laid down in three payments and of every 40. Crowns the City is to have one which is a great revenue to it Thus I have describ'd at length the way of selling because it is almost the same thing in all the other Towns of Holland In the year 1635. and 36. it pleas'd God to visit Holland and particularly Leyden with a great Plague insomuch that the Church-yards could not hold the dead but the Bastions were taken to bury them in At the same time or a little after the Plague being somewhat over War was proclaim'd between the two Crowns of France and Spain that made many people who before liv'd upon the Frontiers come and seek refuge at Leyden they fill'd up the empty Houses Seven years after by the command of the Magistrates the Church-yards were levell'd the dead bones transported else-where and Trees planted which now do begin to grow There are many other particularities as the Prison where the Count William was born The Count Florent was also born at Leyden In the Chamber of the Bourgemasters there is a Picture of Luke of Leyden's making which was so valued by the Emperor Rodolf that he offer'd to give as many pieces of gold for it as would cover it It represents the day of Judgement John of Leyden a Taylor was in the first change of the Roman Religion made King of the Anabaptists and having seized Munster he made himself be treated as a King wearing a Crown of gold and when he did go abroad had alwayes two Boyes before him one of which carried a Sword and the other the Bible All that did not fall down and worship him were immediately condemned to die and executed He kept 14. Wives and caus'd one to be kill'd because she despis'd his inspirations The Bishop laid siege to the place and John made the people endure as much as ever Saguntum or Jerusalem endur'd assuring them still of a sudden deliverance But at last the Town was taken and the King with his accessaries taken and punish'd as they deserv'd They keep yet at Leyden the Table upon which this Taylor did use to sit and work May all those that disobey their Magistrates come to as bad an end CHAP. VIII Of the Territory about Leyden THe Territory about Leyden is call'd Rhinlant where is made the best Butter of all Holland It is full of many fine Villages which for the nobleness of their Buildings might be reckoned small Towns I will begin with Rinsbourg which was anciently a well fortified Town About a league from it Petronella Sister to the Emperor Lotair founded an Abbey for Nuns of quality and by its ruines it ap 〈…〉 have been a fine structure The 〈…〉 many ancient Epitaphs one I have seen of a Nun in the year 1218. It did depend for the spirituall on the Bishoprick of Utrect and so did all Holland there being in it never a Bishops See but not for the temporall as some have writ The Earls of Holland and their Ladies did use to be buried here A league further is Nortvic within a mile of the Sea Because of the pleasantness of the place many Gentlemen live in it Valkenbourg next is a famous place for the Horse-Fair held there every moneth of September I have been told that before the War there did come to it Merchants from all parts of the world
THE PRESENT STATE OF THE United Provinces OF THE LOW-COUNTRIES AS TO THE Government Laws Forces Riches Manners Customes Revenue and Territory OF THE DUTCH IN THREE BOOKS Collected by W. A. Fellow of the Royall Society LONDON Printed for John Starkey at the Mitre betwixt the Middle Temple Gate and Temple-Bar in Fleet-Street 1669. THE PREFACE THe Netherland-Provinces have rendred themselves so conspicuous and considerable amongst the other States of Europe that the sole mentioning of them might suffice to awaken the attention and invite the regards of all persons whose more elevated Genius leads them to the contemplation of the rise growth and grandeur of States and Empires which affording the greatest instances of humane wisdome and industry as well as they are the most remarkable Theatres of divine providence are certainly the most adaequate objects for rational and considering men For which reason possibly few Books less needed a Preface than that which is now in the Readers hands and The present State and Government of the Netherlands in the Title-page may seem to carry invitation enough with it to render all other superfluous Scarce any Subject occurres more frequent in the discourses of ingenious men than that of the marvellous progress of this little State which in the space of about one hundred years for 't is no more since their first attempts to shake off the Spanish yoke hath grown to a height not only infinitely transcendnig all the ancient Republicks of Greece but not much inferior in some respects even to the greatest Monarchies of these latter Ages Nor is the wonder inconsiderably augmented in that the lesser Moiety hath farre exceeded even the Whole it self and seven Provinces are become greater than seventeen with a manifest verification of that Aenigmatical Aphorisme Dimidium plus Toto To which it may likewise be added that for above sixty years of that above-mention'd hundred they were continually engag'd in a Warre against the greatest King of this Western World besides what contests they have since had with other Neighbours and nevertheless that difficult exercise of their nonage not only promoted their growth by necessarily exciting the industry natural to that Nation but likewise contributed to rènder the Constitution of the State it self more robust and athletick 'T is the Portraiture of this flourishing Common-wealth which is here presented to the Ingenious drawn by the elegant Pen of a Virtuoso of the Royall Society who the more to gratifie the Reader and compleat his Work hath collected out of severall Authors a summary Account of the Lives of the Earls of Holland down to the alteration of Government which commenc'd about the year 1567. which Lives compose the first Book order of time requiring the same to be prefix'd before the Description of the Confederate Commonwealth or Government of the States Generall whereunto is particularly annex'd that of the States of Holland and Zeeland as examples of the rest The third and last Book exhibits the extent and nature of the Soyl of Holland the Manners Customes and Trade of the Inhabitants together with particular Descriptions of all the considerable Cities and Towns of that Province and an Appendage of divers Treaties of Alliance made between this and other neighbouring States Besides all which the Reader will finde variety of Politick Reflexions and Discourses interspers'd throughout the whole Work which concurre to the accomplishment of the same in reference to the two principall ends of Books Instruction and Divertisement THE FIRST BOOK Containing the HISTORY OF THE EARLS OF HOLLAND CHAP. I. What pass'd before the Earles of Holland THere is all the probability in the world that this fair Province of Holland has not alwayes been as rich and as populous as we now see it but quite contrary it was a kind of a Desert once and full of great Forrests The first People that inhabited it were a Colony of Germans which came out of their Countrey some time before the Birth of our Saviour and it is from thence that it has the name of Batavia if we believe the Roman History and particularly Tacitus lib. de moribus Germanorum There is no doubt but the Batavi are the chief in strength and valour among the Germans and that this Nation which was formerly called Cattes and which upon a sedition at home invaded these Islands which the Rhene makes and are now become Subjects of the Roman Empire are the noblest portion of the German State since History makes so much mention of them and that it appears so in their humours customes and manners of which the chiefest are these following 1. That they pay no tributes 2. That they are free from all contribution towards the War 3. That they are alwayes reserv'd for the War 4. That they have the most honourable rank in the Army as being esteem'd the best Souldiers and the best skill'd in lancing their Javelots 'T is by their help sayes Tacitus that the Romans have extended their Empire beyond the Rhene The Romans in truth did think themselves happy to have them for friends and companions not that I deny but that they were in some way conquered by the same Romans whom they assisted much in their Wars against the Brittains or English witness the Brittain Castle built by the same Romans for as Tacitus sayes it was only by the force of the Batavi and the Tongri that the Romans did overcome the Brittains besides the Emperours were so convinced of their fidelity that they us'd them as guards to their persons but because the Romans did begin to oppress them they revolted from them as it is reported by Tacitus in the fourth Book of his History in these words The Batavi having been us'd in the Wars of Germany did furnish the Empire with arms and men their principall leaders were Julius Paulus and Claudius Civilis of the Royall Bloud Paulus being accus'd of rebellion was kill'd and Claudius put in prison but set at liberty by Galb 〈…〉 Civiiis being a man of parts took notice of the disorder the Empire was in and observing the natural aversion the Bataves had for the Romans because that in raising of Souldiers among them they aim'd more to satisfie their avarice and foul luxury than to supply the legions he fomented under hand at first their discontent then appearing openly exhorted them to recover their liberty and cast off the yoke of slavery We are not said he treated like companions but like slaves remember the glory of your Ancestors and look upon the disorders of the Empire and the Gaules your neighbours who will joyn with you in the design of recovering your liberty Thus it appears by this Writer that the Batavi were to have been the Romans companions and that it was for the breach and non-performance of that promise that they revolted and maintain'd a bloody War in which were perform'd many noble actions The end of this War was a peace in which the Batavi were caâ—l'd the brothers and friends of
it is agreed that there be chosen in the Name of all the Confederates some Plenipotentiaries and that these Plenipotentiaries do assign the day and place of the Assembly of the States of each Province and that they send to them in due time the Grievances and Heads of matters they are to treat about Yet if there be such points as require secrecy that then they reserve to declare them in the Assembly General of the States that all the Provinces being thus advertiz'd do send their Deputies with their instructions and powers necessary to the place of the Assembly General that the preference be given by the plurality of Votes except in important affairs that if some Provinces do neglect to send their Deputies that those that shall meet do nevertheless debate and deliberate and decree as if all had been there but if the things to be debated will endure a delay then the Provinces that have not sent their Deputies shall be call'd upon two or three times and those that have not convenience of sending their Deputies let them send their advice by writing 16. If the States of the particular Provinces have any knowledge of those things that deserve to be examin'd and pass'd in the Council of the States General let them give notice to the Plenipotentiaries who shall assign and call together the Assembly of the Confederates 17. If there should be any difficulty about the interpretation of these Articles or any doubt arise let the sence of the major part of the Confederates be taken for the true meaning of all 18. If it be found necessary to abolish or change any Laws already made or make any new ones let it be done by the Votes and consent of all 19. Let all observe and solemnly swear to keep inviolably these Laws that if any thing be done either directly or indirectly contrary to them let it be ipso facto void and let it be lawfull for the other Provinces to seise and take the Cities Possessions and Goods of those that shall infringe them and persist so to do In short if in these Constitutions there be any thing against the Right of any particular Province now constituting it shall not be sufficient to make a general renunciation to it except it be preceded by a particular renunciation of each of the Confederates These are the Laws that have been the foundation and basis of this Commonwealth and are still exactly observed in all points except in the 11th Article concerning Religion which was alter'd by the States General in the Year 1583. And since by the Union of Utrect it is free to amplifie change and shorten any of the said Articles when the safety of the Provinces should require it the States ordain'd that no Religion should be henceforth receiv'd but that which is publickly taught in the United Provinces which is the Reformed but that if any Members Provinces or Papish Towns would enter into this alliance that then they should enjoy the liberty of their Religion in subscribing to the rest of the Articles CHAP. II. The rank and dependencies of the United Provinces towards one another HAving made a slight draught of the Commonwealth of these Uâ—ited Provinces we must now consider what are these Provinces thus united and to that end it is observable that all those Towns that do depend on the administration and Government of the States do send their Deputies to the Hague and do share in the Government but that those Cities and Towns that have been added and subjected by the force of Armes are as conquer'd Nations used to be with the Romans 'T is true that those Towns that by the happy success of the States Armes have been with great cost and time conquer'd in Brabant have often solicited their admission and reception into the Body of the Commonwealth but because they have stood the State in so much blood and treasure and that they are incapable of assisting and being a help against the Enemy by reason of their long sufferings and also because it is fit that they alone who first conspir'd to this alliance should enjoy it they have not yet obtain'd their request But to know whether those Towns of Brabant to the number of eight viz. Bolduc Breda Berguenopsooun Mastrect Grave Steenbergue Heindove and Helmont do deserve the priviledge that the Countrey of Drent now enjoys viz. of having particular Treasurers not accomptable to the States General is a point which deserves a greater discussion than is here to be expected However within these few years the said Towns have a Court of Judicature which does Soveraignly and without Appeal judge and decide all controversies arising in those parts This Court sits at the Hague and is made up of seven Counsellors one Secretary one Attorney of the Exchequer and one Attorney General The Towns likewise conquer'd in Flanders have a Court of Judicature at Middlebourg determining all causes Soveraignly The Countrey of Drent has many great Priviledges as the power to choose a Governor to contribute to the publick necessities as other Provinces do and it has also an ambulatory Court of Justice which goes from Town to Town to hear causes and decree upon them without Appeal besides it has the liberty of naming Commissaries for the Treasury but it has not yet the priviledge of sending Deputies call'd Pensionaries to the States General because they did not at first come into the League and Alliance made between the other Provinces and also because since that time there has been no occasion of making any Articles with any of their Towns except Couverde which is disputed too there being in this Countrey scarce any place which has juâ— Civitatis except the little Town of Meppâ—l which would sooner attain its desire of taking share in the Government if by the consent of Drent it were united to some of the neighbouring Provinces To Drent is ordinarily joyn'd the Mannor or Demean of Rhun which is an antient Lordship of the House of Munster But Gueldres Holland Zeeland Utrect Friezland Overyssel and Groningue with Omlund are of the first alliance and have for Armes a Lion holding in his paw seven Arrows the symbole of their Union and the States General do use it as their publick Seal This order which we have set down though it were so at first was nevertheless disputed between Friezland and Uâ—rect they both pretending to the precedency but besides that Utrect is in possession it has two strong reasons The first is that formerly all Friezland was subject to the Bishop of Utrect as for the Spiritual Jurisdiction â—ly That a 〈…〉 Utrect had declar'd for the Union when divers Towns of Friezland were yet in suspence CHAP. III. What was the Form of the General Assemblies till the time of the Earl of Leicester FRom the first time that the Deputies met to make and ordain Laws about the setling and firm establishing of the Commonwealth it was agreed by the 17th Article of the Union of
Utrect that as often as the Confederates should have occasion to deliberate about any thing in a set place they should send thither their Deputies and these Deputies were call'd the States General of the United Provinces But the States being not alwayes in a capacity to meet by reason of divers obstacles and there being a great necessity of a perpetual Senate or Council it was found requisite to establish a Council of State den Raed van Staten which was made up of one President of the Deputies of the Provinces of one Treasurer and three Secretaries There was in those dayes no set place for the meeting of this Council because that then the settlement was not compleated and things were uncertain but here are the Articles which this Council was bound to observe and which were to guide them in their administration First That in the exercise of their charge they should not so much endeavour the benefit and advantage of those Provinces which they were Deputies for as the good of the whole Commonwealth 2. That they should observe the Laws prescribed them by the Authority of the States General 3. That they shall take care of the publick Treasure and pay the wages to all those to whom wages are due 4. That they shall take care that the affaires of the Confederates do not receive any disadvantage or trouble 5. That they shall send every three moneths to the States of each particular Province a Compendium of all their Consultations and the accounts of their expences and receipts 6. That the States General shall consult and deliberate with them in affairs of importance and that they shall call them together according to the 19th Article of the Union This last Article was to be understood of such affairs as could not be delayed For their importance By succession of time the Common-wealth continuing to prosper and advance and the Earl of Leicester being expected in these parts from England to govern as Lieutenant to Queen Elizabeth there was reason to fear that which had already happened viz. that he or others sitting for him in the States should endeavour to dive into the secret of deliberations whereupon it was resolv'd to settle besides this Council of State the Soveraign Council of the States General who should alwayes sit at the Hague leaving to this Council of State the care of smaller and less important business CHAP. IV. In what consists the Superiority of the States General and what sort of affairs are determin'd by them which cannot be determin'd by the States of the particular Provinces SInce that time that is ever since the Year 1587. the Soveraign administration of business has been in the power of the States General and their Soveraign Council and in it is not only all Majesty and Soveraignty by vertue of the Union but they have also the power of deciding some business which the particular Provinces cannot 1. For in the first 〈…〉 lone that give Audience to the Ambassadors of Princes and Foreign States and do also send in their own Name Ambassadors abroad for the good of all 2. This Assembly alone proclaims War and has the management of it both by Sea and Land 3. It is to them that the Officers and Souldiers are first sworn and then to the General that commands the Army 4. Some Deputies of this Assembly are alwayes appointed to accompany the General in time of War without whose advice he cannot lawfully begin any enterprize of importance 5. This Assembly has also its Envoys in the Meetings of the East and West India Companies because there are often deliberations of War and Peace 6. It is this Assembly that has the power of chosing a General both by Sea and Land and of obliging him to take the Oath of allegiance to them 7. They give Safe-conduct and Passes to all Strangers that desire to passe through their Countrey 8. They can pardon and forgive Fugitives and those that have turn'd to the Enemies 9. They make Orders about the transport and entries of Merchandises 10. They alone exercise the power of Soveraignty over the conquer'd Cities and Towns of Brabant Flanders and other places reduced by force 11. They ought to take care that all the Provinces remain in friendship and amity one with another but they ought to comport themselves rather as Remonstrancers than as Commanders And in short they are to take care of all that is directed and addressed to them by Commissions and whosoever shall well weigh these things will not wonder if they are honoured with the title of Illustrious High and Mighty though the States of Holland enjoy only the quality of Noble and Powerfull CHAP. V. How far the power of the States Generall does extend THe States Generall are alwayes upon the Guard for the rest of the Provinces safety and for all publick advantages If therefore the Governour Generall or the Embassadours and Envoys of other Princes do make any Propositions that are of concern and importance to the Commonwealth it is order'd that the Deputies do give account of it by Letters to their respective Provinces and according as their answer is it is determin'd by the plurality of Votes except in cases of contribution for then there is requir'd an unanimous consent of all the Provinces From whence it appears that the States Generall being the representatives of those that send them have no power beyond the extent of their Commission and in such things only as are mention'd by it but do stand in need of new Orders when new business happens and without them they cannot deliberate nor give their Vote in the Assembly So that it appears that they have but a fiduciary and delegated power their Decrees are of no force if they are not agreed to by the particular Provinces and to them these Decrees are directed to be published rather in a precary and submissive way the stile running We pray and require our dear and beloved the States Governours Deputies c. of the respective Provinces c. Besides this every Province makes Laws at home as they please CHAP. VI. Who are those that are ordinarily chosen for Deputies to the States Generall and of the order which is observ'd amongst the Deputies THis high Councell alwayes sitting at the Hague is composed of the Deputies of the seven Provinces in the order above-mentioned They are sent in uncertain number for some Provinces send two some three or one or a greater number but all the Deputies of one Province though never so many make but one Vote or Suâ—â—rage The Provinces that send them furnish them for their expences and give them a considerable allowance The time of their deputation is not limited neither for some Provinces send them for two years some for four six or more some for all their life Now all these Provinces are of equall Authority in the States though Holland which is the strongest of all have the custome of drawing some others to its party and
Suits about the publick revenue and receit of Customes c. In the absence of the Governour Generall they determine all Causes concerning Prisoners of War touching Plunder and Booty c. Here follows the method they use in all their affairs 1. They do the business that concerns the whole Province 2. Those affairs that regard Towns and Corporations Last of all They decide the Controversies between private persons The Counsellors of the Admiralty who are six in number ought to be very carefull and to act conjoyntly with the Admirall the States and their Deputies to have alwayes a convenient Fleet ready to secure the Sea from Pirates and that all Merchants and Passengers passing to and fro upon Rivers and Channels be duely provided of Pasports They are also to find out the ablest Pilots and stoutest Captains and when they have sworn them give them their Orders They are soveraign Judges of all abuses and frauds committed in falsifying and counterfeiting Pasports as also of all quarrels and suits between Sea-men and Souldiers aboard the Ships In a word they have all the power that Admirals do enjoy in England France or any other Countrey I have not time to shew here by what Agents and Officers the States do administer justice to their Subjects keep accounts of their treasure give Livings and Fees to be held from them and many other things which would require a greater Volume It remains to satisfie some Politicians curiosity who would know it may be whether our State be Monarchie Aristocracie or Democracie or of which of these it participates most To which I answer that I think the Government of Holland to be a fit mixture of them all In the person of the Governour Generall who commands the Armies both at Land and Sea with an absolute Authority is seen Monarchie the States represent Aristocracie and Democracie is seen in the Government of the Cities and Towns for nothing is done without the consent of the meanest Inhabitant CHAP. XXIV The Proclamation of the States of Holland and West-Frieze touching the ancient Right of the Common-wealth of Holland THe Knights Nobles and Towns of Holland and West-Frieze representing the States of the said Provinces after a mature deliberation and communication of the business with the Nobles and Senates of Towns and carefully weigh'd their advice and answer have in discharge of their Oath and duties thought fit to publish and make known to all the world by a publick Edict the State of Government of the said Provinces being perswaded that all Readers will be inclin'd to pitty and favour the deplorable estate of our Countrey It is most certain for that in past ages for the time of 800. years the Soveraign Administration of the Provinces of Holland West-Frieze or Zeeland was committed to the care of Earls or Countesses who had receiv'd this power from the States and that upon certain Conditions These Earls did govern with so much moderation and prudence that they did never undertake either to declare War or make Peace or lay Imposts or Taxes without asking the advice and consent of the Nobles and of the Magistrates of Towns though they had their own Privy Councellors men of great capacity and abilities but they did much yeeld to the Authority of the States for any business that concern'd these Nations This Government thus founded upon equity and justice could not choose but attract the blessings of Heaven upon its Lords and indeed it did for no Princes ever perform'd more glorious actions or receiv'd more demonstrations of honour from their Neighbours than they William the second Earl of Holland was chosen Emperor in the year 1247. And that which is yet an addition of glory for these Princes is that they have maintain'd many bloody Wars obtain'd many famous victories and alwayes so defended the very borders of their States that their enemies have not been able to get any ground upon them We may also protest with truth that in the space of 800. years Holland and Zeeland were never conquer'd nor subjected by any Strangers whatsoever neither did they pass under the power of any Foreign Prince which is an advantage that we believe no State in Europe except it be the Republick of Venice can brag of We do ingeniously confess that the firm Constitution of this our Government does consist in the union and good intelligence which is between the States and the Prince for the power of these Earls was very inconsiderable without the help of the States they having nothing but their own Demean or Revenue to live upon and uphold the splendor of their Court We have also observ'd by what means and Authority they have often made their Courts remember that duty which some evil counsellors had perswaded them to forget and that not only by Remonstrances and Petitions but often by chastizing and personally punishing those who wickedly abusing the Princes Authority did lead them so much out of the way of justice and moderation We find likewise in our Histories that the States have chosen Guardians for their Princes under age and that William the Fifth being run mad they created a Lieutenant-Governour in his room In a word 't is a thing question'd by no body that the Soveraign power was alwayes in the States whensoever their Princes came to die or were otherwise disabled from performing the Functions of their Charge and in those Cases they did appoint a Governour whom they called Guardian or Ruwarde Under the Domination of the Dukes of Burgundy this Right was also maintain'd for a little after the death of Charles their Duke and his Daughter the Dutchess Mary Maximilian of Austria having undertaken to introduce some novelties and oppress the Authority of the States was so oppos'd that had he continued he had without doubt undone himself The Emperor Charles being yet minor receiv'd Guardians and the Provinces receiv'd Governors from the said States and though their liberties had suffer'd some diminution under the Dukes of Burgundy yet did the said Emperor alwayes respect and honour them as being perswaded that without their assistance his power could not stand Upon this Subject he gave many grave admonitions to his Son wishing him to govern with all moderation and not by any means to exasperate that power whose consent he must have to enjoy his Prerogative And indeed he now knows to his own and these Provinces great cost the truth of what his Father did foretell for there can be no other cause alledged of the troubles and revolutions of the Low-Countreys than his going about to infringe their Priviledges and fasten the yoke of servitude about their necks Though these things be as clear as day yet we have thought it necessary to publish them to the world because that many being yet in suspence and ill-inform'd do think that the States are only a tumultuous Assembly of some Deputies who being men concern'd in the quarrell do carry on things more according to their own ends than
noysom and infectious smell though often it fail too in the great heat of Summer when there is a great calm and no winde stirring We must not omit to speak of the Anatomy-House it being the place that ought most to attract Strangers eyes for the singular curiosities that are in it There you shall see Egyptian Mummiaes Pagan Idols Birds and Beasts brought from China and remoter places whole Skeletons and an infinite number of other things which cannot be here set down no more than viewed in a short time In the forepart of this Church above the Fencing-School that was and is now the English Church there is a fine Library full of all sorts of Books in all Tongues besides the Legacy of great Scaliger which is a number of Hebrew Books all the Manuscripts of the Library of Bonaventure Vulcan and the Books that Golias brought out of the Levant There are other private Libraries which the civility of the owners makes publick and it is not only the Professors but even the Citizens that are curious in Libraries insomuch that if Authors were lost else-where they would soon be restor'd by the Hollanders There are often Libraries publickly sold to them that give most for them and this way of exposing all sorts of Goods to publick sale is very ordinary in Holland and they that buy them have credit for some moneths The City has eight Gates all new with their Bridges The Galleries beyond the Town-Ditch are set with Trees having on one side the Rampart and on the other are the Gardens and Meadows near the Town The City was very un-inhabited for a great while after the siege the Grass did grow in the Streets and most of the Houses were thatch'd but now they are all cover'd with Tile or blew Slate and since the year 1636. this Town is embelish'd and grown better by half in half There is an Hospitall for poor Passengers and decayed old people as also a Bedlam or place for mad folks all being very neatly kept and the sick well serv'd The Orphans Hospitall is a noble Building and of a great extent In it are ordinarily about 500. Children who are taught to read and write and bound Apprentices as they grow up Besides this there are great numbers of Alms-Houses for poor people they call them Hoffies in Dutch the fairest of these is the Papegraft The care that is taken in Holland of such Families as cannot get their living is very remarkable and deserves praise In the Winter time there are deliver'd to them at the publick charge so many Blankets Sheets so much Bread c. to keep them from dying either by cold or hunger They that are either over-burdened with Children or otherwise undone by any accident go to the Masters of the poor and receive relief according to their necessities But this charity is not extended to the poor Catholicks though the gatherings be made generally and from all Religions The number of those that have a share in this charity mounts ordinarily to above 20000. in this City Every quarter the Magistrate goes through the Town having before-hand given notice to the Citizens and makes a collection of what every one is pleas'd to bestow And thus all the poor are so supplied that in any extremity they cannot want Bread and so cannot from their necessity take an occasion of rising This is practis'd through all Holland but no where so exactly as at Leyden In the year 1629. the King of Swedeland having landed an Army in Borussia stopt all the Rivers and hindred the coming of Corn from Poland whereupon Bread grew so dear of a sudden that the common people not being able to go to the price began to mutiny and some of them broke in upon a Baker But immediately the Citizens appearing in Arms dissipated this tumultuous rabble and having whipt two or three of them made the rest go quietly home Then the Magistrates gave out Rye to the Bakers to distribute to such poor as should bring such a mark in testimony of their poverty Every year in April the Magistrates go through all the Town and every one must set forth before his door his Fire-Ladder Buckets and Sayl to the end that if Fire should happen any where it might be readily extinguish'd This is a very laudable custome and observ'd over all Holland All night long in Winter from nine of the clock to four in the morning there are men that go through every Street with a Bell singing the hours and half-hours They are bound to convey to their Lodgings all drunken people and such as have lost their way They take care against Fires give warning to those that have not shut their doors In Summer they begin at ten of the clock and retire at four in the morning They that set upon them or affront them are severely punish'd as was seen lately at the Hague where a great Lord having in drink kill'd one of them was notwithstanding all powerfull intercessions beheaded to be an example to every one else The Magistrates that administer justice are chosen out of the forty Notables all Protestants and rich Citizens Out of these are chosen every year four Bourgemasters at St. Martins Feast in November and seven Aldermen on St. James day in July There is besides another Assembly call'd the Masters of the Pupils and Orphans before whom such Men or Women that have Children but desire to marry again must appear and take their Oath that they have conceal'd no part of their Estate but that their Inventory is good and true and then the Parents are bound to breed them according to their quality and to assign them a summe of Money upon an immoveable proportionable to the principall The Towns has besides its Overseers and Surveyors for Building that when any thing as Bridges or Gates c. requires repair it may be speedily done Every year there are two great Fairs at Leyden during which time no man can be arrested for Debt The chiefest is held on Ascension day and lasts eight dayes Upon the Monday the Citizens meet in the Dozles a place full of Trees where every one may exercise in shooting with Cross-bowes and Bowes and Arrows It is a very pleasant place by reason of the shady Walks and of two good Taverns that are in it in the Windows of one of which are represented all the Earls of Holland down to Philip King of Spain In most of the Towns of Holland there are of these Dozles which shews the warlike temper of these Nations so far as to be able to preserve their liberties In this place the six Companies of Citizens which make near 2000 men do use to train The most ancient Captain has the Van. They appear with great glory and perform their Exercises very well The other Fair is that which us'd to be held in memory of the deliverance of Leyden and was wont to last ten dayes but it is now put down and the Story only
It is a very pleasant place as well as Catvic where live many rich men that live of their revenues The Rhene did anciently enter the Sea here and there was a square Castle built at the mouth of the River but it is now buried under water We find it written that there were the Romans Magazines and Store-houses against the English Of late when the Sea has been very 〈◊〉 â—y a constant South-wind the 〈…〉 ndations have been seen In Summer the Scholars and Citizens go to wash there and eat fresh Fish as also to breathe the salt Air of the Sea which is held very wholesome They that hire Horses may go all along the shore by the two Catvicks and Walckembourg and return by Nortvic Rinsbourg and Oestgeest Wassenaer is situated just by the sandy Downs it did formerly belong to the Prince de Lime but now it belongs to the honourable Family of the Wassenaers Warmout is a league and half from the Town on Harlem-side By the way are two or three very fine Farms and particularly one near the Channell when you have pass'd the Bridge you leave upon your right hand Lochorst and then you come into the most delicious Village in the world the Lord of it is Mr. James Wassenaer whose Father was Admiral and has eminently serv'd the publick in military and civil employments The Arminians have a Church here the Church is on the out-side of the Village as also the Lords House which is a fair Castle with a Moat round about it Oestgeest is a Village in the Sands which belongs to the Corporation of the City of Leyden I my self have seen the Sand taken away three foot deep carried to the Town and there sold and an Acre of that ground which before was not worth 20. pound made worth fourscore Soutervoude is to the South at a leagues distance from the Town the way to it lies through Lam leaving on your left hand the Castle of Cronestien a fine House and Gardens This Village is little but it is in a fine Soil and has the best pasture grounds about Leyden The Magistrates have bought the Lordship of it as also that of Leyderdorp a Village that has more Palaces than Countrey peoples Houses 'T is here where we must admire the magnificence of the Citizens for one would think that there were an emulation between them who should shew most marks of riches by their expences It is built on both sides the Rhene that goes through it and behinde the Houses in the Meadows is a Church behinde which there was formerly a Monasterie Between Leyden and Ferrie there was another Nunnerie which was built upon a clayish ground out of which Bricks are made now In the year 1616. the Work-men found in digging two Meddals of gold representing the Emperor Nero to the life I have seen them both Woorschoten is another fine Village belonging to Monsieur de Duvenvoord whose Father was Keeper of the Great Seal Hereabouts the Countrey is so delicious that it is a kind of Paradise upon earth as well because of the diversity of Fields Meadows and Woods as of the prospect of so many stately Edifices and neat Gardens The Countrey people wear very good Cloathes ordinarily of black but without Cloaks Their Wives have gold Rings on their fingers It is not very rare to meet with Peasants here worth 10000. pound they enjoy as great a liberty as any Citizen Every Village has its Bailif Secretary Bourgemaster and Judges and besides a certain sort of Countreymen that they call Welboremans that is men of a good Family and well descended Alphen is half way to Woorde and takes its name from a Roman Knight There are very few Antiquities to be seen in Holland because that all the Countrey has been chang'd and new peopled and the Towns and Villages new built so that there are no footsteps of what it was it is so encreased in riches and beauty I come now to Caudekerk where there is a fair Castle belonging to Monsiâ—ur de Podgeest All these Villages have their Fairs once a year which anciently were never kept without some skirmish at Back-sword The stoutest did use to hang up a Back-sword and he that did come and touch it was engaged in a combate which was to be perform'd after this manner First the parties break off the points of their Swords then they take their Hats in their left hands to defend their faces and nevertheless they often pare off a Cheek or a Nose or so But these Duels are strictly forbidden and severely punish'd if attempted This Countrey is so finely diversified that it wants nothing for a perfect prospect For though Vines do not naturally grow in it yet by the industry of the Inhabitants there are many which produce Grapes enough for their eating And as for Wine they are sufficiently furnish'd by Sea Now I come back to the Town and observe that it is the Garden of all the adjacent Province for Lettice Parsley Carrets Pease Beans Parshley c. which are transported to Zeeland and Utrect At Amsterdam you shall hear them cry Leyden Parsnips And indeed the Gardiners industry is most admirable for they have five or six crops in a year upon the same ground I was desirous to know how much an Acre of ground might be worth to be sold and it was answer'd that Meadow was about sevenscore pound an Acre Corn grounds about 200. but Gardenage about 250. and sometimes 300. pound an Acre Every day at six of the clock goes off the first Boat for Amsterdam and at twelve a clock the last at eight and at eleven for Harlem at twelve for Utrect There are eight Barks for the Hague and as many for 〈◊〉 elft And so from these two Towns for Leyden from the Spring to October they go out at five a clock and after at half an hour past five The Arms of the Town are the Cross Keyes The Citizens are govern'd with so much moderation by the Magistrates that since the beginning of the Commonwealth to this day there has been no tumult nor rising by reason of Taxes Impositions or the coming of Strangers or for any other cause But now let us come to that powerfull City from which Neptune seems to take his Orders I mean Amsterdam CHAP. IX Of Amsterdam THis Town which has not its like in the whole world if we consider its Commerce the conveniency of its Harbour and the means it has of setting out powerfull Fleets takes its name from a Castle built upon Ye belonging to the Lords of Amstel It is seven leagues distant from Leyden and you may go to it four different wayes the most ordinary is that of the great Lake the next by Harlem and by the Channell made lately the third in a Waggon or on Horseback by the Veenes and the fourth by the night-Boat that you meet at Leyderdorp Since the late Wars this Town is encreased above two thirds and therefore we shall inquire
and odd great Trees have been driven into a piece of ground of about a 100. foot square to be Pilotis for the foundation of the Tower In the Church the Ministers Pulpit is contriv'd with great art with the four Evangelists and a Tower above it In the Glass-windows is the good Emperor Maximilian his Picture There are two great Suburbs or Fauxbonrgs one upon the way to Utrect and the other that goes to Overtom a Village where the Boats that come from Leyden pass upon Rowlers There is built a fair Pest-house 'T is commonly said that this City is very like Venice for my part I believe Amsterdam to be much superiour in riches though the most serene State of Venice can bragg of having maintain'd a War for this twenty year against the whole force of the Turks without assistance from any but the Pope This Town is exceedingly well govern'd every ones liberty preserv'd and safety provided for all and even in the night-time you may go any where without fear of being robb'd or kill'd The Air is not quite so good as at Leyden by reason that it is environ'd with Marishes which make it in accessible but it is better seated for Trade which is its life Let us go to Harlem CHAP. X. Of Harlem and some Villages round about it I Shall speak very little of the Antiquity of this pleasant Town for in the darkness of past times it is so hard to distinguish fables from truth that it will make any wise person forbear from obtruding old Stories upon an ingenuous Reader The first time we find any mention made of the valour of its Inhabitants is in the year 1245. when Pope Innocent at the Council of Lyons made St. Lewis King of France and William Earl of Holland undertook the relief of the holy Land For the Army being come before Damietta a great Chain did hinder the approach of the Navy this the Harlem-men undertook to break and did execute their design giving entry to the whole Fleet in memory of which the Town has for Arms a Sword with four Stars and a Cross at the end of it William King of the Romans gave the Inhabitants many great priviledges But if the victory carried in Palestina made them famous the Art of Printing here invented has made them as remarkable though Meâ—ts an Electorall Town does claim the same honour but not so justly for it was by a Prentice who upon Christmas-Eve run away from Harlem with the Letters and Instruments serving to the Art of Printing taking his time when all the people were at Church Laurent Coster was the name of the man that invented this Art In the year 1292. the Faction of the Casembrots seized upon the Town and plunder'd the Houses of most of the considerable Citizens but it was crush'd by Albert Duke of Saxony and the Town condemn'd to a Fine of 27000. Crowns and to the loss of its priviledges In the year 1574. the Spaniards under the conduct of Frederick Son to the Duke of Alba having taken Sutphenen and cruelly cut the throats of all the Townsmen of Naerden came and laid siege to Harlem the Garrison was 4000. strong and refusing all conditions of a surrender made brave sallyes upon them hanging the Spanish prisoners upon the Walls and in derision of the tenth penny which the Spaniard would levy throwing over to them eleven Heads of their prisoners But the Spaniards were sufficiently reveng'd for they forced them to yeeld at discretion though the very Women fought valiantly for their liberty This Town is rather long than square and is wash'd by the River Sparen In the Market-place is the Town-house a stately Building and over against it is the great Church dedicated to St. Bavon it is looked upon as the finest Church in all Holland There are many Meadows about the Town and on the Sea-side mountains of Sand and there is a Wood towards Leyden about half a mile from the Town which is a great diversion to the Citizens not only of Harlem but of Amsterdam Towards the North there are Suburbs and great Gardens Harlem is pretty populous and holds a perpetuall communication with Amsterdam and Leyden by Boats which go and come at all hours In the year 1657. was made a Channell between Leyden and the said Town The greatest Trade of Harlem is in Linnen for there is the finest and whitest Holland There are likewise many Weavers I remember I was told that once all these Weavers forsook their Trade and turn'd Tulip-Merchants at the time when the fancy for Tulips did reign over all the Low-Countries and France Besides they do brew excellent Beer in this Town which being transported into Friezeland grows better there than in Harlem it self The Villages round about are Hemstede Sparenvow Tetrode c. There are also the Castles of Brederode Harlee and Velsen of which there remains little but the ruines Monsieur Adrian Paw Lord of Hemstede c. has compil'd there a fair Library of Books of all Languages and Sciences and such a one as will hardly be match'd by any private person He is a very eminent man employed as Plenipotentiary in the Treaty at Munster though some do endeavour to cast aspersions upon him as if he had had a hand in the troubles of England Between Harlem and Leyden there are many fair Villages amongst which Helegon Lys and Tassum are three of the best not above a league distant from one another Not far from them is the House of Feiling now belonging to his Highness the Prince of Orange and a noble Castle that Monsieur Dalmade has caus'd to be built of late In coming from Harlem to Leyden you have the Downs or sandy Hills on the right hand and on the left the great Lake of Harlem which is alwayes cover'd with Boats going and coming with Merchandizes CHAP. XI Of Delft and its Villages THis Town is situated in a Plain amongst pleasant Meadows and was built by Godfrey the Crooked Duke of Lorrain who had conquer'd Holland by the assistance of the Bishop of Utrect I find nothing in our Annals concerning this place that is memorable except that after a siege of six weeks the Town was taken by Albert of Bavaria because they had receiv'd the Faction of the Hoves the Town was dis-mantled the Castle pull'd down and the Inhabitants fin'd 10000. Crowns to the Duke In the year 1536. in the moneth of May the Town was burnt down by accident and it was observ'd that a not being able to save her young ones because they were not fledged flew her self into the flame and died with them but out of the ashes of this rose a much more noble Town 1584. The Prince William of Orange was traiterously kill'd by a Bourguignon and there lies buried in a pompous Monument in acknowledgement of the great actions he perform'd for the publick liberty There are two fair Churches which have each a very high Steeple and a Town-house at the end
of the Market-place with an Inscription in Latin upon it to this purpose This House hates loves punishes conserves and honours Wickedness Peace Crimes Laws good men Haec Domus odit amat punit conservat honorat Nequitiam Pacem Crimina Jura bonos They have here a great Trade of Beer which they brew very well The Town is not so big as Leyden but it has a fairer Market-place and though there be not so much Trade nor the Houses so richly adorn'd on the inside yet are there very rich Citizens The Countrey about lies lower than about Leyden therefore in certain seasons as when the Wind is North-East if they should open their Sluces all the Meadows about Delft would be overflown Delft is but four leagues from Leyden and you have the convenience of a Waggon Between these two Towns lies Lordsendam a great and fair Village which grows rich since the Channell of Leyden was made There are two great Sluces to preserve the Countrey about Delft Voorburg is a little on one side the Channell and is the ancientest Village in Holland There are yet to be seen some foundations of a strong Castle built by the Romans as it appears by the Inscriptions of the Stones that are every day taken from among the ruines It being so near the Hague and upon the passage of so many people seems rather a Town than a Village It is but two leagues and a half from Leyden and one league from the Hague Losdun is a Village near the Hague in which was a Nunnery for Gentlemen and Noblemens Daughters and no others founded by Margaret Countess of Holland whose Daughter Machtilde was brought abed of 365. Children at once as many as there are dayes in the year who were all baptized by Otho Bishop of Utrect the name of John was given to the males and that of Elizabeth to the females who all died the same day with their Mother The Story sayes that this Princess refus'd Alms to a poor Woman that had Twins in her Arms saying that they were not of one mans getting whereupon the poor Woman finding her self unjustly suspected wish'd her as many at a time as there were dayes in the year In memory of this History there is a Picture hung up in the Church with an Inscription to this purpose Here is a monstrous and memorable thing which has not had its like since the beginning of the world Reader having perused this Story go away and admire it Near the Meuse there is a Castle with 365. Windows which are the names of the said Children and yet there are many people that do not believe this Story at all This Village has a sandy ground on one side of it and on the other a fertile Corn-Countrey call'd Vestland CHAP. XII Of Dort THis Town is very ancient and rich by reason of the great abundance of all sorts of Merchandizes that come down the Rhene It s situation is incomparable for it is environ'd with the Waters of the Rhene and Meuse which make it a place of great Trade It is call'd the Maiden Town because it was never taken though often besieged and once particularly by the Duke of Brabant in the year 1304. For he having conquer'd a great part of Holland and committed all sorts of inhumanities upon that Nation sate down at last before Dort but the Citizens unexpectedly sallying out upon him routed his whole Army and pursued him to Bosleduke and in their way home obtain'd a victory over the Flemmings at Isselmond In the year 1421. upon St. Katherines day the Banks broke near Dort and about threescore and ten fair Villages were swallowed up by this unmercifull Element of Water and above a 100000. men died miserably with their Wives and Children It is said that a wicked Countrey-Boor being envious of his Neighbours prosperity made one night a Hole in the Bank that he might drown him and all his Family in their Beds with a design of stopping it again but the Tide coming in with a strong Winde broke quite through first drown'd this perfidious Rogue and then overwhelm'd all that stood in its way Since the Water having by little and little been driven away by the industry of the infatigable Inhabitants they have drain'd most part of that which lay under Water and discover'd some Villages There is hopes of getting all during this peace but it can only be done in the great heat of Summer As it happens often that when we are ignorant of the cause of a thing we are apt to attribute it to some invisible supernaturall power or to our sins that provoke Gods anger so some have said that these Villages were drown'd because they did make ill use of their great riches that they would not wear any other than golden Spurrs and liv'd in a great magnificence But let us return to the Town which by an unlucky accident of Fire had like to have been quite destroyed there were burn'd above 2000. Houses with the Town-house and Cathedral-Church 1618. the National Synâ—d was held in the same Town under the Authority of the high and mighty Lords the States Generall to decide those Controversies that were risen concerning Predestination There were present many learned men both from France and other parts amongst others the most Reverend Father in God the Archbishop of Canterbury who since was beheaded in the troubles in England Dort was the place where was born that factious Preacher Brother Cornelius Adrian of whom the people to this day tell so many pleasant Stories For my part I have heard worthy persons say that he was really a very eloquent person who did ravish his hearers with admiration but that he did handle some points that were a little too free in those dayes but he fear'd no body He died at Bruges It is to be observ'd that when the Earls of Holland were to be inaugurated that is acknowledged for lawfull Princes they did first come into Dort and there did swear to the States to observe all their liberties and priviledges from whom consequently they did receive an Oath of Allegiance In the Assembly of the States of Holland the Dort-Deputies have the first place and speak first Before the Town are taken great quantities of all sorts of Fish and particularly of Salmon for in one year there were sold in the said Town 892. Salmons and it is commonly said that Servants put it in their bargain that they shall not eat Salmon above twice a Week There is a very convenient Port for â—ll Merchandizes coming down the â—hene and it is in this City that all the Rhenish Wine is first unloaden But this is enough of the first Town of Holland in dignity which besides the beauty of its Edifices is placed in a fruitfull Soyl and a temperate Air. Leyden is distant ten leagues from Dort and the ordinary way is by Water CHAP. XIII Of Goude THis is the sixth and last of the great Towns five leagues from Leyden It lies
upon the River Yssâ—l upon the conjunction of two Rivers of which the Waters are clear and full of Fish There are many delicious Gardens for the Citizens diversion and the Air is exceeding good In the year 1272. it was built by the Count Florent and adorn'd with many priviledges a 100. years after it was burnt down to the ground as likewise in the year 1420. in the War between Jacqueline of Bavaria and Philip of Burgundy There is a fine Market-place in the middle of which is the Town-house and near it is the great Church which has been twice burnt Before the Wars it us'd to be much admir'd for its Bells as also for the Glass-Windows which are very curiously enamel'd The Air is so good here that the Plague is never in the City there being no standing Waters near it and yet the situation of the Town is such that there is no bringing any Artillery to beat it for the Inhabitants can by their Sluces drown all the Countrey round about Besides it is environ'd with so deep a Ditch that it strikes terrour into a beholder The Citizens are most of them people that search a retreat from the World and love quiet and peace After Leyden 't is the prettiest and wholesomest Town in Holland CHAP. XIV Of Rotterdam THis Town which is now one of the greatest and most Trading-Towns of Holland is nevertheless but the first of the small Towns In 1270. it was first wall'd and 27. years after it was taken by the Flemmings In 1418. Brederode head of the Faction of the Hoves surprized it It is a place that does every day augment and grow bigger by reason of the great resort of Shipping to its Harbour There is made the best Beer in all Holland When the Prince of Orange was in the Field he did use to drink no other than Rotterdam-Beer Some years ago there was an English man of War cast away in the Harbour and since there has been spent a great deal of Money to get it up again but all in vain The great Erasmus so well known 〈…〉 his Learning and Books was born 〈…〉 in 1467 and died at Fryburg in Alsatia there is his Statue in Copper upon the Bridge with his Book in his hand This Town is the next to Amsterdam for Trade and here are to be met with Ships for England Scotland France Spain and the Indies CHAP. XV. Of the small Towns of Holland WIthin half a league of Rotterdam there is a pretty Burrough call'd Delfs-haven so nam'd because that the Duke Albert of Bavaria in acknowledgement of the services he had received from those of Delft granted them the liberty of making a Port from Overschia a Village that is about half way between Delft and Rotterdam The Inhabitants are most of them Seamen and send o 〈…〉 very year great numbers of B 〈…〉 for the fishing of Herring It s 〈◊〉 on is such that with small cost it might be so fortified as to be made impregnable Upon the same River a league off is Schiedam a famous Town for Fishing Vlarding is hard by a small Village but formerly a strong Town the Meuse being a little too near it has devoured a great part of it Masanluys is a fair Burrough two leagues lower the Inhabitants whereof are most Fishermen They that take shipping at the Bril go through this Burrough Having cross'd the Meuse which is above a league broad in this place you come to the Briel which is at the mouth of the River and all Ships that come from Rotterdam pass before it This Town was taken by onset by the Count of Lumay in 1572. and it was the first place that the Water Gueux took from the Spaniards and here were laid the first foundations of that Commonwealth which now flourishes in the Netherlands The Town is populous and the Territory fruitfull in Wheat but the Air is thick and thence proceeds the extream rudeness of its Inhabitants a vice common to all Sea-Towns But let us cross the Meuse again to go to the Hague and in our way see St. Grave-sant a place where formerly the Earls of Holland did use to keep their Court The Countrey round about is very fruitfull in Corn and Pasture-grounds Here are made those green Cheeses which the Hollanders do so much value Not far off is Hontslardick where the last Prince of Orange of glorious memory built a most stately House adorn'd with Walks and Galleries and much visited by Strangers Riisvick is another fair Village where the said Prince has another House in a very pleasant situation among the Meadows and being full in the eyes of those that come from Delft It is full of excellent Pictures of the best Masters of Europe And now let us enter the Hague the delicatest Burrough in the whole World as all those that have seen any thing abroad do willingly confess CHAP. XVI Of the Hague THis place which by the breadth of its Streets the nobleness of its Buildings the pleasant shade of its Trees and the civility of its Inhabitants may justly claim the title of the most pleasant place in the World and make all men envy the happiness of those that live in it has on Delft-side an extent of lovely Meadows and on the other side over against them the sandy Hills that keep in the Sea which is but half a league distant from the Town And upon the shore is Scheveling which furnishes the Câ—tizens with fresh Fish That side which is towards Leyden is a great Wood of Oaks where there is a Park full of Deer the Earls of Holland did formerly reside here and now the Prince of Orange does keep in it a most splendid Court. On one side oâ— this Wood is a great Pond round about which of late are built many noble Houses The Dozles make the corner Prince William laid the first Stone of them himself Behinde the Court over against the other corner is a House built by Prince Maurice of Nassaw in which are the Pictures of most of the Kings of Europe with many rarities from America The Voorhout with the House towards the Princes Palace on the Ponds make the finest part of the Hague Here every evening are seen many Lords and Ladies taking the Air some in their Coaches and some afoot The Jacobins Cloister is still call'd the Cloister-Church There is another Church lately built in a round figure and there is not a fairer out-side in all the 17. Provinces within there is never a Pillar insomuch that the Minister in his Pulpit may be seen and heard by all those that are in the Church The Chappell of the Earls of Holland is now the Frâ—nch Church There are two very fine Piazzaes one before and the other behinde the Princes Palace where all the Houses are like so many Palaces themselves there live the Deputies of the States Generall The Towns have each of them built Houses for their Deputies and that which is for Leyden is to my
preserv'd for the owners but if all be drown'd then what the Sea casts up belongs to the Countrey It happens often likewise that after a great storm a sort of Whales call'd by the Inhabitants Potwisch are found sticking upon these Sands these likewise belong to the County and I saw one that was sold for 50. pounds they make Oyl of the Flesh and use the Bones for other uses The Sea likewise does cast up great quantities of Cockle shells which are gather'd to make a sort of Quicklime much whiter than that of France but not so good to make Morter with Sometimes there are some very fine sorts of Shells but seldome for those which are kept as rarities come most from the Indies You may see in your way Egmond a Village from which came the noble Family of Egmond All these sandy Hills from the Honsbos to Beer are full of Rabbits which you may see in thousands it is forbidden to kill or take any of them under a certain Fine and to hunt them you must have leave from the high Huntsman of Holland or be one of the Nobles of the Countrey There you may see Eagles that endeavour to prey upon the Connies The Peasants hard by have a pretty way of catching them undiscover'd which is that in Winter the poor Beasts finding no green thing upon the ground to eat all being cover'd with Snow draw near the Houses in most of which there is a little hole that goes into the Cellar in which are green Cabbage-leaves the Rabbits emboldened by hunger creep in by a board set there on purpose and no sooner are they entred but the Peasant pulls away the board and the Rabbit falls into the Cellar But the Peasant does not brag of his good fortune nor invite his Neighbours to the good cheer These Duâ—es or sandy Mountains are full of physicall Herbs which the Students of Leyden do much seek after particularly in the Spring-time in the company of their Professors and such Plants as cannot endure the cold are transplanted into a Gallery which looks to the South in which are three Stoves for their conservation all Winter long This Academy has also another Gallery in which are many curiosities as Pagans Idols Indian Serpents skins little Chips and Cloths and Shooes of the Indians The Gardener gives to the curious a little Paper in which is contain'd the explication of all these and the Book-binders sell a little Book in which are all the names of the Plants that are in the said Garden This Academy was formerly a Nunnery out of which the Nuns being driven by the great revolution of Europe for Religion had each of them a small Prebendary for their life assigned to them and I remember two that did use to come from Boyslednke to Leyden to receive their Sallary In the Divinity-School are kept all publick acts and all Degrees are taken They that take them publickly are honour'd with the Magistrates Presents who ordinarily send them in some Presents of Wine after the custome of Germany then they make a Feast to the Professors and are very merry They that cannot afford to be at so much charge are receiv'd privately and under the Chimney as the Proverb sayes The Commencements are ordinarily in Summer about the Dog-dayes Upon the said Academy is built a high Tower on purpose for Astronomers to make observations There are likewise many rare Instruments of a new invention serving to the same end here being excellent Professors in all the parts of the Mathematicks The Princes House is upon the Rappeâ—bourg and has a fine square Court with a Garden It was a religious House for Women who 't is said had purchased the place the House stands on with spinning The lower part of the Church is a magazine for Ammunition and the upper a Store-house for Corn. This I have added as omitted in the first Description of Leyden with which I have perfected my intended Account of the Cities Towns and Villages in Holland Now I will say something of their Religion CHAP. XXIV Of the different Religions in Holland I Will not here undertake to dispute which is the best of all those Religions that are here tolerated knowing that it is too ticklish a matter to be handled without giving offence to some body I shall only relate barely how many sorts of Religions there are within the limits of the United Provinces They being at their first revolt opposite to Spain in all things resolv'd to give as much liberty as that King would deny and to tolerate all Religions because he would suffer but one In order to this the State thriving in their Wars took upon them to drive out the Priests Monks and Nuns as so many Emissaries of Rome and stiff maintainers of one only Religion The chief Model and Reformation was made according to the Churches of Geneva and the high Palatinate and to this day they that pretend to any Charge or Office must be of this Religion if they desire to be admitted They that follow the Doctrine of Martin Luther have all freedome in Holland and liberty to build Churches among the Houses to distinguish them from the other Reform'd The Anabaptists have likewise theirs and are divided into divers Sects They that have the great Assembly are call'd Drec Wagens And I will say this to their praise that in their Meetings they expound Scripture without making any invectives or railing upon any body else In the beginning those of the Reform'd Religion in Holland were call'd Geux or Beggars as in France Huguenots a name which the vulgar yet retain with joy bragging that they were neither Papists nor Martinists but Geux This was the occasion of their being thus nam'd In the beginning of the troubles 500. Gentlemen being come to Brussels to present a Petition to the Princess of Parma then Governant came of a sudden into her Palace she being at the Window talking with the Earl of Varlemont was frighted with so sudden and so great an appearance and asked him if he knew what it mean'd who answered Madam Do not trouble your self they are but Beggars Ce ne sout que des Geux This being told these Gentlemen at Supper they all agreed to dress themselves in Beggars Cloaks and take wooden Dishes in their Hands with this Motto We are all the Kings faithfull Servants even to Beggary We must not forget the Arminians who have made a Schisme among the Reform'd about Predestination The Gomarists or Counter-Remonstrants opposed the said Articles of Predestination they were thus nam'd from their two Heads who were both professors of Divinity in Leyden Arminius and Gomarius Their Division had such influence among the people that the Towns did already begâ—n to take in Garâ—â—sons to maintain each their opinion by force Prince Maurice by the Order of the States applied a remedy to these Disorders Barnevelt was taken and beheaded some Magistrates of Towns deposed and many Ministers of the Arminians imprisoned their
furnish it with rare Plants at great charges But let us leave Amsterdam for fear we lose our selves in the confusion of so many remarkable things and come and rest our selves at Leyden the Garden of Holland Our nearest way will be by the Lake of Harlem for with a fair Winde we may arrive in four hours but if the Winde be contrary we may go by Harlem in two hours by the Channell and then take a Chariot for six and twenty pence which will carry us in two hours more to Leyden When the Winde is strong and contrary the way by the Sea of Harlem is troublesome for it makes those sick that have often been upon the Sea without inconvenience and though in many places it has not above six foot Water yet not long ago a Boat with Passengers was over-turn'd and they drown'd Though there be many tempests and storms upon it yet within this 25 years I do not remember any ill accident but this I have now mention'd and that great misfortune which befell the unfortunate Queen of Bohemia when she receiv'd the terrible news how the King her Husband had sav'd himself with swimming but that her eldest Son was drown'd in this unmercifull Element The King had left Harlem in November 1629. towards the evening the night proved very dark and tempestuous and the Lake much agitated by great Windes when unfortunately in the obscurity another Boat fell foul of his and sunk it immediately The poor young Prince was heard to cry out Ab Sir dear Father pray save me but all in vain for the darkness of the night hindring the distinguishing of objects it was impossible to relieve him and so he perish'd in the flower of his youth to the unspeakable affliction of all that were acquainted with his forwardness in all Arts and Sciences The two famous Cities of Holland are Leyden and Amsterdam one is the Market of all foreign Commodities and the other of Manufactures of all sorts Neither is there any City that has so great a Revenue next to Amsterdam as Leyden as it appears by the last years Excise only upon Beer Corn and Cattle which came to 50000. pound There is wanting to Leyden a good Harbour to the Sea without passing by other Towns and it has been proposed to make one at Caetvic which is but two leagues from it Nay the Mathematicians and Engineers having been advised with do say the thing is feasible others say that it cannot be and that either the Sea would choak up the Harbour with Sand or it may be if let in drown all the Countrey To which it is answered that the securest way would be to go by Wassâ—naer and make the overture between two Mountains but this design is now buried in oblivion Being one day in the company of a Mathematician at Catvic he told me that the Sea being calm is about half a foot higher than the Meadows about Leyden so that if in the Spring-tides or a storm the Sea should make way through those Mountains of Sand infallibly the Countrey would be all lost The most dangerous Winde for Holland is a North-West-Winde towards the Equinox with a storm but God Almighty by his providence hinders these three so dangerous enemies from assailing us all at one time Holland is so populous that you can hardly go a stones cast without meeting with Houses or Villages The Hollanders Diversions are these In Summer a Citizen shall hire a Boat for himself and his Family to go and eat fresh-Water Fish In Winter he shall hire a Sledge upon the Ice They are not given to gaming at Dice or Cards but will play at Bowles and Tables They are not quarrelsome nor apt to strike but will scold and call one another all to naught before they come to blowes Towards Autumn and in Winter the Students pastime is to go and shoot at the wilde-Ducks and Geese and if they shoot at the Countrey-peoples as they will often out of roguery then follows a scuffle in which the weakest goes to the Wall Their industry is most admirable for inventing and improving other peoples inventions witness Printing and Telescope-Glasses The Art of Navigation is better understood here than in any place of the World so is Fortification and all military Discipline in so much that a Low-Countrey Souldier when he comes to another Kingdome is presently made much of and advanced The Hollanders are the best in the World at Draining witness what they have done in England and France at Bourdeaux and in Britany But their Fishing is a thing which in â—ll manners deserves admiration But they have one odd diverting way of it which I shall here relate There are three Islands which serve as a bar to the Ocean The first is the Texel where are made excellent Cheeses The second is the Ulic where are taken great quantities of Muscles The third is Schelling the Inhabitants of which last are much given to Fishing and the way that they use to catch the Fish which they call a Sea-Dog is very pleasant They disguise themselves like Beasts and at certain hours that these Fishes are us'd to come out upon the shore they leap and dance before them and by a thousand antick tricks make them follow them and leave the shore in the mean time those that are in Ambushcade set their Nets then the dancers throw off their Masks and taking their humane shape upon them come upon the poor Sea-Dogs who endeavouring to re-gain the Sea are entangled in the Nets and made a prey to those that had diverted them The Hollanders transport salt-Fish all the World over There is not any season in the year that does not produce some particular pleasure For what is more pleasant than to see the Meadows cover'd with Flowers all the Spring and Summer Autumn produces an abundance of Fruits The Winter is more pleasant here than any where else for in so sad a season the diversion of the frozen Channels full of people sliding upon them is no small one Wood is not dear here and you shall have more for 10. pound at Amsterdam than at Paris for 15. If the Water be not to be drunk in recompence there is very good â—eer to be had 'T is true that the Windes and the Rain are very frequent by reason of the Neighbourhood of the Sea but the inconvenience is recompenced by the convenience of travelling for if the wayes be broke and bad you may go by Water A Merchant never misses of an opportunity of transporting himself and his Goods the Channels being loaded night and day with an infinite number of Boats But as there is nothing absolutely perfect Holland has its Cloudes its North-Windes its Rains and its foggy Mists which do much bate of the beauty and pleasantness of this fam'd and renowned Province The Treaty of Peace Concluded the thirtieth of January of the present year 1648. in the Town of Munster in Westphalia between the most Illustrious and