Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/62

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TOUR THROUGH

for the person of the prince of Orange. With these partialities and attachments, the advance of the French into the republic, and the absolute impossibility of resistance, caused an universal sensation of terror and grief. The most respectable English families fled from the town, and their example in some cases was followed by the Dutch. To the honour of a numerous and useful class of persons, I have to relate, that when it became certain that all intercourse with England would be suspended, not a female servant of the British nation was to be found in Rotterdam, who would consent to remain there after the French were in possession of the place. Many of them had lived in the same situation so long, that the character of a servant was melted into that of an individual of the family; but no personal or local attachments could prevail over the strong affection which they retained for their country; and the amplest increase of wages to induce them to remain in their places, in every instance, was offered without effect. Their conduct is the more to be admired, when the quantity of