By the end of the autumn, however, he had the satisfaction of numbering, under his command, full sixty thousand well-appointed and disciplined troops, including the large reinforcements recently despatched: from Spain and Italy.

The monthly expense of this army-half of which was required for garrison duty, leaving only the other moiety for field Operations--was estimated at six hundred and fifty thousand florins.

The forces under Anjou and the united provinces were also largely increased, so that the marrow of the land was again in fair way of being thoroughly exhausted by its defenders and its foes.
The incidents of Anjou's administration, meantime, during the year 1582, had been few and of no great importance.

After the pompous and elaborate "homage-making" at Antwerp, he had, in the month of July, been formally accepted, by writing, as Duke of Guelders and Lord of Friesland.

In the same month he had been ceremoniously, inaugurated at Bruges as Count of Flanders--an occasion upon which the Prince of Orange had been present.
In that ancient and stately city there had been, accordingly, much marching about under triumphal arches, much cannonading and haranguing, much symbol work of suns dispelling fogs, with other cheerful emblems, much decoration of ducal shoulders with velvet robes lined with weasel skin, much blazing of tar-barrels and torches.