he invitations which had already in the month of June been prepared for
the Synod to meet in the city of Dortor Dordtrecht-were now issued. The
States of Holland sent back the notification unopened, deeming it an
unwarrantable invasion of their rights that an assembly resisted by a
large majority of their body should be convoked in a city on their own
territory. But this was before the disbandment of the Waartgelders and
the general change of magistracies had been effected.

Earnest consultations were now held as to the possibility of devising
some means of compromise; of providing that the decisions of the Synod
should not be considered binding until after having been ratified by the
separate states. In the opinion of Barneveld they were within a few
hours' work of a favourable result when their deliberations were
interrupted by a startling event.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Fruitless Interview between Barneveld and Maurice--The Advocate,
warned of his Danger, resolves to remain at the Hague--Arrest of
Barneveld, of Qrotius, and of Hoogerbeets--The States-General assume
the Responsibility in a "Billet"--The States of Holland protest--
The Advocate's Letter to his Family--Audience of Boississe--
Mischief-making of Aerssens--The French Ambassadors intercede for
Barneveld--The King of England opposes their Efforts--Langerac's
Treachery to the Advocate--Maurice continues his Changes in the
Magistracy throughout the Country--Vote of Thanks by the States of
Holland.

The Advocate, having done what he believed to be his duty, and exhausted
himself in efforts to defend ancient law and to procure moderation and
mutual toleration in religion, was disposed to acquiesce in the
inevitable. His letters giving official and private information of those
grave events were neither vindictive nor vehement.

"I send you the last declaration of My Lords of Holland," he said to
Caron, "in regard to the National Synod, with the counter-declaration of
Dordtrecht and the other five cities. Yesterday was begun the debate
about cashiering the enrolled soldiers called Waartgelders. To-day the
late M. van Kereburg was buried."

Nothing could be calmer than his tone. After the Waartgelders had been
disbanded, Utrecht revolutionized by main force, the National Synod
decided upon, and the process of changing the municipal magistracies
everywhere in the interest of Contra-Remonstrants begun, he continued to
urge moderati