New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-09
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
uoT1.ry,s LIFE AND DEATH OF JOHN OF
BARNEVEID,

$40 ATS Harper Brothers.
The present volumes form an intermediate STUDY
between the great historical works which have e'en
the author so pure and brilliant reputation IN mou
arm English literature. and the narrative OF the
Thirty Years War with which he intends 10 crow"
the labors of his active and fruitful intellectual o
In the materials for the composition OF TINS "o'h' NJ
Motley has been singulary fortunate lie n''S n""
access to mass Of important documents " ,I,;a
not vet been put into the possession u VI. -"
and which have never before been used 1or the Pui
poes of history Among these the Correspondence VI
Rarneveld affords q rich mine OF inioiniauon'
Monv Of the state papers connected with the
snbiect especially those relating TO the triai vi
Rarneyeld. remained in concealment for centuries
and IL ;s only within quite recent period that
small portion of them has been published by the
utrecht Historical Society. In addition 10 Tue
.hove-named sources Mr.. Motley has Vigorously eA-
,lorea the national archives of the Netherlands
vbicb have not long been accessible anu pfesen'eo
che results Of protracted and tollsolne reseaion III
his vigorous and glowing pages.
Although John of Barneveld was among the most
prominent statesmen Of his age, welding an innu-
pce which was not surpassed by that OF any OF his
contemporaries, and producing deep impression
on the policy of Europe at many critical moments
~ history the personal traits of his character have
hitherto remained in comparative obseurity' his
master spirit was concealed in the imposing pres
ence of the young republic. If William the silent
founded the independence of the United PROVINCES
Barneveld was the founder OF the commonwealth
itself But though few great men IN the history VI
apv nation have lived less in the mouths OF pos
terity there is no name more familiar at TINS NO
ment to every inhabitant of the Netherlands lie Is
the subject of as ardent affection or as enthusiastic
hatred as if two centuries and half had not elapsed
SINCE his death.
n 10, IN His ancestors were
Of the ancient and knightly house of Oldenbarne
yedt and he could boast of patrician blood both IN
the male and female line. He was not the heir OF
large possessions and was dihgent student ana
handwriting man from his youth. lie received
Thorough education in the universities OF Holland
France, Italy, and Germany. At an early age Nc
was one of the first civilians of the time lhrough-
ont the life of William the Silent he was one OF ms
most trusted counseors Upon the assassination OF
William which for an instant seemed 10 strlke INC
republic with paralysis. Barneveld was among the
statesmen of Holland who inspired 1t with 1resh
energy In 1856, he was induced to accept the post
of Advocate of Holland, and from that time he De-
came the political head of the Confederacy.
The great question of Church and State was among
the most vital problems of the age. Although toler-
Of different creeds had been secured so far as TO
preyent inouisiton into private opinions the idea OF
religions equality was unknown. Burning for heresy
had become obsolete But there was an established
creed founded on the Netherland Confession and the
Heidelberg Catechism. AS the grand result OF the
Reformation. the principle prevailed throughout
Protestant Europe that the power OF the sovereign
extended TO the religion OF the subject In country
like the Netherlands without personal sovereign,
struggle between the new church and the civil gov
eminent was inevitable. The question of dogma was
subordinate to that of ecclesiastical authority. Inc
government claimed the control OF the temporal
affairs Of the church, which preension was strenu-
ously resisted by the clergy and their partlsans
COMPROMISE was effected under the guidance of
Bameveld in 1890, bat the venom did not cease to
rankle. and at length broke forth with fatal nten-
sity. The lifelong antagonism between Prince
Maurice of Orange and Barneveld, who resisted the
claim of the former the sovereignty of the Meth
erands found pretext in this for the destruction
of the iustIiOus statesman. MI. Motleys express
awe picture of Prince Maurice must be introduced
in this place:
HIS lite had been regularly divided INTO Two naiVes,
the campaigning season aud the period OF WINTER qu
fers In the one his business ana ms talK
Vas OF C chmP was devoted to his stud 10
tennis, to mathematical and mechanical inventions;
which he did not play at all we'll A Gaseon captain
serving the states army was his haDltna aHtagOnS
a game derived a steady income out OF his gains whien
more than equal to his pay dne nr hmrned ont
nd h he ~ had arrived with his hat pulled his
broys without 1das ns sues' & conid and on the
contrary radiant with delight when successful ctIne
for Wallets TO light the departing captain through the
corridor and accompanying him the door OF the apart
ment himself That warrior was accordingly 700 sntenu
not 10 allow his adversary as fair share OF tn
umph as consistent with maintaining tie IrugaI IN
come which lie reckoned - -, =.
He had small love for the pleasures OF the table, but
was promscuous and unlicensed in his amours he was
methoGical IN his household arrangements aud rather
stngy than liberal in money matters. He personally
read all his letters accounts dispatches anu other doe9
lDeuts trivial important, but wrote few letters with
his own hand so that, unlike his usrous fathers cor
respoudeuce there is little that is characteristic 10 he
attire and was always dressed in exactly the same
STYLE wearing doubet and hose Of brown wooen SIR
plated ruff on his neck, aud very loose boots He rld
cued the French officers who 10 show their 1ne
legs were wont to such tight boots made them
perspre get into them. and maintained III precept
and practice that man should be able TO lamp mo MS
boots aud mount and ride at moments no
tice. Tie only ornaments he INDUCED IN, except
OF course, state occasions, were a golden NIT
20 his famous sword, and rope OF ciamcnds teu
He in the full flower OF his strength and his
Fame. in his forty second year and of noole and mar
tal presence The face although hand
some, offered sharp contrast within itself the upper
halt ali intellect, the lower quite sensual Fair hair
growing thin. but hardly tnged with gray, bright
Cheerful and tnoughttu forehead, large hazel eyes
within a snguary large orbit OF brow straight thin.
open Variance with the broad thicklpped, sensual
mouth. the heavy pendant oT the sparse beard on me
ss5 Which gave the world assurance OF man and
commander OF men. Power and intelligence were
stamped upon him from his Birth
Barneveld, on the other hand, was tall and majes-
tic of presence with large quadrangular face aus
tere, blue eyes looking authority aud command, a
vast forehead, and grizzled beard. OF fluent and
convincing eloquence he had the power of saying
much in few words, but cared far more for the sub
stance than the graces of speech. With great love
of power he had little personal vanity. and not the
smallest ambition of authorship His writings that
are Iow moldering and forgotten in archives, con-
tam noble lllnsf ratinns of the history aud nnlitcs