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Rh murderous sieges which they carried on, the bloody conflicts in which they were engaged, and the atrocious cruelties which they committed whenever victory declared on their side, are related and dwelt on with all the minuteness and circumstantiality of recent events. The Spaniards are mentioned as men of yesterday, and the slightest memorial is preserved which relates to their treacheries, cruelties, or defeats. Indeed no period of the history of the republic has been so glorious as when the Provinces threw off the yoke of the Spanish monarchy, then the most powerful and wealthy in Europe, and maintained their independence against the numerous armies, under skilful and consummate generals, which Philip II. and his successors poured into Holland. Commerce had not then debauched the simplicity of their manners, and the love of liberty was their ruling passion. The noble influence of this generous passion converted a nation of fishermen and slaves into a race of heroes, worthy of the venerable times of Greece and Rome. Never was the love of country —