The stream, which we have been tracing from its source, empties itself at last into the ocean of a world-empire.

Count Dirk the First, lord of a half-submerged corner of Europe, is succeeded by Count Charles the Second of Holland, better known as Charles the Fifth, King of Spain, Sicily, and Jerusalem, Duke of Milan, Emperor of Germany, Dominator in Asia and Africa, autocrat of half the world.

The leading events of his brilliant reign are familiar to every child.

The Netherlands now share the fate of so large a group of nations, a fate, to these provinces, most miserable.

The weddings of Austria Felix were not so prolific of happiness to her subjects as to herself.