of Charles IX. with his envoy in the Netherlands—­Exultation of the Spaniards before Mons—­Alva urged by the French envoy, according to his master’s commands, to put all the Frenchmen in Mons, and those already captured, to death—­Effect of the massacre upon the Prince of Orange—­Alva and Medina in the camp before Mons—­Hopelessness of the Prince’s scheme to obtain battle from Alva—­Romero’s encamisada —­Narrow escape of the prince—­Mutiny and dissolution of his army—­ His return to Holland—­His steadfastness—­Desperate position of Count Louis in Mons—­Sentiments of Alva—­Capitulation of Mons—­ Courteous reception of Count Louis by the Spanish generals—­ Hypocrisy of these demonstrations—­Nature of the Mons capitulation—­ Horrible violation of its terms—­Noircarmes at Mons—­Establishment of a Blood Council in the city—­Wholesale executions—­Cruelty and cupidity of Noircarmes—­Late discovery of the archives of these crimes—­Return of the revolted cities of Brabant and Flanders to obedience—­Sack of Mechlin by the Spaniards—­Details of that event.

The example thus set by Brill and Flushing was rapidly followed.  The first half of the year 1572 was distinguished by a series of triumphs rendered still more remarkable by the reverses which followed at its close.  Of a sudden, almost as it were by accident, a small but important sea-port, the object for which the Prince had so long been hoping, was secured.  Instantly afterward, half the island of Walcheren renounced the yoke of Alva, Next, Enkbuizen, the key to the Zuyder Zee, the principal arsenal, and one of the first commercial cities in the Netherlands, rose against the Spanish Admiral, and hung out the banner of Orange on its ramparts.  The revolution effected here was purely the work of the people—­of the mariners and burghers of the city.  Moreover, the magistracy was set aside and the government of Alva repudiated without shedding one drop of blood, without a single wrong to person or property.  By the same spontaneous movement, nearly all the important cities of Holland and Zealand raised the standard of him in whom they recognized their deliverer.  The revolution was accomplished under nearly similar circumstances everywhere.  With one fierce bound of enthusiasm the nation shook off its chain.  Oudewater, Dort, Harlem, Leyden, Gorcum, Loewenstein, Gouda, Medenblik, Horn, Alkmaar, Edam, Monnikendam, Purmerende, as well as Flushing, Veer, and Enkbuizen, all ranged themselves under the government of Orange, as lawful stadholder for the King.

Nor was it in Holland and Zealand alone that the beacon fires of freedom were lighted.  City after city in Gelderland, Overyssel, and the See of Utrecht; all the important towns of Friesland, some sooner, some later, some without a struggle, some after a short siege, some with resistance by the functionaries of government, some by amicable compromise, accepted the garrisons of the Prince, and formally recognized his authority.  Out of the chaos which a long