History of the United Netherlands, 1585 part 1 | Page 5

some
opposition to the measure proposed, it might be as well to make a
similar attempt on the Flemish side, in preference, by breaking through
the dykes in the neighbourhood of Saftingen. Orange replied, by
demonstrating that the land in the region which he had indicated was of
a character to ensure success, while in the other direction there were
certain very unfavourable circumstances which rendered the issue
doubtful. The result was destined to prove the sagacity of the Prince,
for it will be shown in the sequel, that the Saftingen plan, afterwards
really carried out, was rather advantageous than detrimental to the
enemy's projects.
Sainte Aldegonde, accordingly, yielded to the arguments and entreaties
of his friend, and repaired without delay to Antwerp.
The advice of William the Silent--as will soon be related--was not acted
upon; and, within a few weeks after it had been given, he was in his
grave. Nowhere was his loss more severely felt than in Antwerp. It
seemed, said a contemporary, that with his death had died all authority.
The Prince was the only head which the many-membered body of that
very democratic city ever spontaneously obeyed. Antwerp was a small
republic --in time of peace intelligently and successfully
administered--which in the season of a great foreign war, amid plagues,
tumults, famine, and internal rebellion, required the firm hand and the
clear brain of a single chief. That brain and hand had been possessed by
Orange alone.
Before his death he had desired that Sainte Aldegonde should accept
the office of burgomaster of the city. Nominally, the position was not
so elevated as were many of the posts which that distinguished patriot
had filled. In reality, it was as responsible and arduous a place as could
be offered to any man's acceptance throughout the country. Sainte
Aldegonde consented, not without some reluctance. He felt that there
was odium to be incurred; he knew that much would be expected of
him, and that his means would be limited. His powers would be liable
to a constant and various restraint. His measures were sure to be the
subject of perpetual cavil. If the city were besieged, there were nearly
one hundred thousand mouths to feed, and nearly one hundred
thousand tongues to dispute about furnishing the food.
For the government of Antwerp had been degenerating from a

well-organised municipal republicanism into anarchy. The clashing of
the various bodies exercising power had become incessant and
intolerable. The burgomaster was charged with the chief executive
authority, both for peace and war. Nevertheless he had but a single vote
in the board of magistrates, where a majority decided. Moreover, he
could not always attend the sessions, because he was also member of
the council of Brabant. Important measures might therefore be decided
by the magistracy, not only against his judgment, but without his
knowledge. Then there was a variety of boards or colleges, all
arrogating concurrent--which in truth was conflicting- authority. There
was the board of militia-colonels, which claimed great powers. Here,
too, the burgomaster was nominally the chief, but he might be voted
down by a majority, and of course was often absent. Then there were
sixteen captains who came into the colonels' sessions whenever they
liked, and had their word to say upon all subjects broached. If they
were refused a hearing, they were backed by eighty other captains, who
were ready at any moment to carry every disputed point before the
"broadcouncil."
There were a college of ward-masters, a college of select men, a
college of deacons, a college of ammunition, of fortification, of
ship-building, all claiming equal authority, and all wrangling among
themselves; and there was a college of "peace-makers," who wrangled
more than all the rest together.
Once a week there was a session of the board or general council. Dire
was the hissing and confusion, as the hydra heads of the multitudinous
government were laid together. Heads of colleges, presidents of
chambers, militia-chieftains; magistrates, ward-masters, deans of
fishmongers, of tailors, gardeners, butchers, all met together pell-mell;
and there was no predominant authority. This was not a convenient
working machinery for a city threatened with a siege by the first
captain of the age. Moreover there was a deficiency of regular troops:
The burgher-militia were well trained and courageous, but not
distinguished for their docility. There was also a regiment of English
under Colonel Morgan, a soldier of great experience, and much
respected; but, as Stephen Le Sieur said, "this force, unless seconded
with more, was but a breakfast for the enemy." Unfortunately, too, the
insubordination, which was so ripe in the city, seemed to affect these

auxiliaries. A mutiny broke out among the English troops. Many
deserted to Parma, some escaped to England, and it was not until
Morgan had beheaded Captain Lee and Captain Powell,