It maintained what it found.

It guaranteed religious liberty, and accepted the civil and political constitutions already in existence.

Meantime, the defects of those constitutions, although visible and sensible, had not grown to the large proportions which they were destined to attain.
Thus by the Union of Utrecht on the one hand, and the fast approaching reconciliation of the Walloon provinces on the other, the work of decomposition and of construction went Land in hand.
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: Are apt to discharge such obligations--( by) ingratitude Like a man holding a wolf by the ears Local self-government which is the life-blood of liberty No man ever understood the art of bribery more thoroughly Not so successful as he was picturesque Plundering the country which they came to protect Presumption in entitling themselves Christian Protect the common tranquillity by blood, purse, and life Republic, which lasted two centuries Throw the cat against their legs Worship God according to the dictates of his conscience MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol.

32 THE RISE OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC By John Lothrop Motley 1855.