picture the scene of whole provinces covered with rich pastures, ample cornfields, heavily laden orchards, and flourishing towns converted into one vast lake, the waters of which swept away and drowned the hope and livelihood of thousands of struggling poor.

In this deplorable situation of his country it was a double satisfaction to De Ruyter to know that he at least had not surrendered the fortresses entrusted to him, but had given a good example for every patriot to follow. Strangely enough, even he had to experience that popular gratitude is more fickle and changeable than the waves and winds with which he had fought all his life. The people, outraged by the presence of the enemy and their own powerlessness, threw all the blame on John De Witt and his brother, who were now as thorough scoundrels as formerly they had been great and admirable men. The elder brother, Pensionary De Witt, was attacked at night as he returned from the council chamber, and all but murdered; but instead of lamenting this disgraceful occurrence, the people rejoiced over it, and said it was a pity he had not been killed right out. They accused the younger brother, the Deputy, of cowardice, of having given orders to De Ruyter while on the fleet not to fight the enemy, and of having so exasperated the Admiral that in a fight between them the Deputy had been wounded in the arm. When De Ruyter heard this he was deeply grieved, and wrote at once to say that, not only had there never been any disagreement between them, but that the

Deputy had shown more eagerness than anyone else on the fleet to follow the enemy and fight; that he had urged it frequently in the council of war with marvellous cleverness, and always behaved in the battle with unexampled bravery. This fine letter remained without effect upon the furious people. They would have it that the brothers were not only the cause of the Republic's smallness and weakness, but also of England's greatness and King Louis' cunning, so that nothing would satisfy them but their death. The most foolish rumours and lies were circulated concerning them, and on the 22nd of August a band of the most senseless and cruel inhabitants of the Hague went to the house where the two brothers were imprisoned, dragged them out of bed and downstairs into the street, trampled on them, and tore them to pieces with a fury that equalled and an ingenuity that excelled the most bloodthirsty brutes. The splendid history of John de Witt and his shocking end are as deeply interesting as anything in history, and some day I may tell you what that little man accomplished in his short life; but I have at present to do with the Admiral only, and he, being a great friend of the two brothers, was deeply shocked when he heard it. 'My poor country!' he exclaimed. 'God forbid that there should be any more such riots!'

Meanwhile he himself was becoming an object of suspicion. He was cruising about in the Channel, and writing home to his wife in Amsterdam that he hoped.

ere long to meet the enemy. But the sympathy which he had expressed for the two murdered brothers was reported among the people, and about a fortnight afterwards Mrs. De Ruyter was warned from Rotterdam that her house might one of those days be attacked and plundered. On Tuesday, the 6th of September, De Ruyter's wife, her daughter and niece, with two female servants, were alone in the house. It was afternoon. The Exchange was going out, when suddenly from all sides hundreds of people of the lowest classes came pouring towards the house, which faced one of the canals. There were sailors from the merchant-ships, with many foreigners amongst them, beggars, loafers, and scores of wives of sailors and soldiers on the fleet. Mrs. De Ruyter, hearing their approach, sent for her son-in-law, who lived a few doors off. He could scarcely get towards her house, being threatened with a fate like that of the two brothers; but when, standing on the steps of the Admiral's house, he asked the mob what they desired, a thousand voices roared out, that the Admiral had sold the fleet to the French. The women said that he was to receive a gold piece for every one of their husbands; and others again, that he had been seen the previous day brought into the Hague like a felon, tied hand and foot.

This the Admiral's wife knew to be a falsehood. She ran into her room, and returned with a letter, which she gave to her son-in-law. 'Does anyone know the Admiral's handwriting?' asked Mr. Smit.