History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

that one-half their value had passed to the
Government; and if, as sometimes happened, they
changed hands ten times, their entire value was
swallowed up by the Government tax. Under such
a law no market could be kept open; all buying and
selling must cease. The Netherlanders refused to
submit to the tax, on the ground that it would bring
what remained of their commerce to an utter end,
and so defeat itself. After many cajoleries and
threats, Alva made a virtue of necessity, and
modified the tax.
Such is the melancholy record of the year 1568.
Its gloom deepened as the months rolled on. First
came the defeat of Count Louis, and the
overcasting of the fair morning of a hoped-for
deliverance for the miserable Provinces. Next were
seen the scaffolds of Egmont and Horn, and of
many others among the more patriotic of the
Flemish nobility. Then followed the disastrous
issue of the attempt of William to emancipate
Brabant, and with it the loss of all his funds, and
many thousands of lives, and a tightening of the
tyrant's grasp upon the country. Wherever one
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