The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-14
BOOK NOTICE.

HISTORY or THE UNITED NETHERLANDS FROM
THE DEATH OF WILLIAM THE SILENT TO THE
TWELVE YEARS TRucE-l609. BY John Lo-
throp Motley, d. G. L., Corresponding Member
OF the Institute of France, author Of 1.-THE Rise
of the Dutch Republic In four volumes Vol.
Ill. l590-l600. With Portraits. New York:
Harper Brothers.
This third volume OF the "Hstory OF the United
Netherlands fully sustains the reputation which Mr..
Motley has won q great historian by his previous
works. It attests the dlgens research, and
over the same high judicial faculty Of determining the
relative value OF the authorities consulted Mr. Motley
however never lets the erudion accumulated by him
dmpede the dow Of his narrative, and his notes
merely indicate with modest brevy the original
OF nformation which he has spared pains TO dis
cover
The ten eventful years to which the present volume
10 devoted arise and past with oil the dsnctnsss
and imprsssvsnsss Of reality The reader finds himself
transported to the very midst Of the hich
described. He becomes for awhile the contemporary OF
the actors in those scenes for they are, rs wore,
brought life again. Herein lies principal charm o.
Ar. hoeys animated page; the characters introduced
into are not lay figures They olive and move aud have
their being" asf they had been evoked by magi-
cal spell from the graves where they have been slumber
ing for more than centuries and half And only
pope and emperor, prince and noble, dipomatst and
soldier como forth at the bidding Of the historian but
also the swarmng people, whom ordinary chrvnclers
are accustomed TO leave in oblivion making little
account Of them their made when they were
actually alive No wonder that the author seems TO
share the strong likes and dIslikesn ne, all the
emotions which rulers and people Used to feel thon.
He docs not Try to conceal either sympahies or his
antipathies after bavng once become fairly cd
with tho persons whom he restores life He nrs,
thoroughly studded for instance, The Utmost character
and the surrounding influences upon II OF Philip IL j,
the coual nguro in the grand rhetorical picture, which
O.. Im~A u~A xvth Boil
not until be has impartaly credited him with every
ex,cnuang circumstance in his favor does he ritlesiy
of historical WRATH He willingly accords to Philip IT,,
in the lingering agoncs Of deat all "the benefit OF
fSuy reooun,s tho sdsyns end Which ne
monarch made Ike 80 many other mprdersrs Of high
and low degree.
OF Philip H. because, the less Is included in the
greater the whole OF that reign, with the exception OF
few episodes Is included the movement out OF
which The republic oil United Netherlands was born,
and the assalcd independence OF France and England
consolidated" He adds 10 the crushing sentence which
truth compcs him TO pronounce upon Philip, certain
important lessons which tho history Of Philips reign
teaches TO Europe and to republican America. "It Is
from abstract hatred TO monarchy declares MI.
Motley, 'ahst have dwelt with emphasis upon the
crimes OF this king and upon the vices OF the despotic
system illustrated during his lifetime II Ia not pro-
babio that the military, monarchia sys.em-iounded
upon conqaes,s achieved by barbarans anf pirates OF
sn, su%ss sf pro
cy-will soon come TO an end in The Older world
And Is the business OF Europeans to deal with the
Institutions OF their Inheritance their choice 10
insure tbeir steady moderation and 10 provide for
the highest interests OF the people. II matters CON-
paravey little by what government Is called,
long the intellectual and moral development Of
mankind and the maintenance OF justice among midi
xidua,s are ITS leading principles" Here 10 the lesson
FOR republican Amcrica:"For us, whose business II rs
20 deal with and, so far rs human fall
bility will permit to improve our Inevitable
form OF government, which may degenerate INTO the
most inolerable OF politics unors We mindful
that II Is yet In rudmenal condition; that although
immenee stop has been taken In tho right direction
BY the abolition Of caste, the divorce OF Church and
State, and the Limitation Of intrusion by either tho
domain Of the Individual, Is vet only step from
which, without eternal vignarce failing back Is very
easy; and that here than In ohsr ands ignorance
OF the scientific and moral truths which national hap
pnsss and prosperity depend deserves bitter dsnuncia-
Sion, for as IL Ia wholesome 10 confirm faith in de.
mocracy and 10 justify hopo that the people will
prove itself equal to the awful responsibility OF sof.
government BY an occasional study Of the mseries
"a for this that thsegn OF Philip is worthy OF
greatest American historian. Tho spectacle which he
sighted Americans who Affect admra,i9n for monarchy
without knowing what II really TO- and who with equal
ignorance sheer 81 grand experiment OF republican
rcyernmeut a inevitably doomed to failure. Every
intelIlGsnt and patriotic American who reads the s
TORY OF the United Netherlands one OF the strk.
sing chapters In the general history Of liberty, must
more than ever prize liberty. hate tyranny and exut
the proud distinction Of being citizen o. the Gres,