generously determined to share the fate of their country, were thrown into prison to protect them from popular violence, and guards were placed in their houses to preserve them from pillage. It may not be improper here to mention, that the conduct of a Dutch mob is strongly marked with the characteristic frugality of the nation. They will plunder their real or supposed enemies without reluctance; but when their resentments extend even to an utter disregard for the lives of individuals, they as carefully avoid the destruction of property, as they would in the most equitable transactions. Immediately that the flight of the prince was known, his tradesmen wisely removed from their shops the armorial bearings of the house of Orange, which before were ostentatiously displayed, and substituted in their place those emblems of liberty which inflamed the passions of the populace. But notwithstanding these precautions not to exasperate the mob, the security of these inoffensive persons and their property was extremely dubious, until the arrival of a detachment of the French
