Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/201

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THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
189

usesul man stood, and his portrait is laudably displayed in most of the booksellers' windows in Haerlem.

The heroic defence made by this city against the Spaniards, under Frederic of Toledo, a son worthy of the execrable Duke of Alva, terminated less fortunately than that of Leyden. The garrison, which consisted of four thousand men, indignantly refused the conditions which were offered them by the Spanish general, and by vigorous sorties greatly distressed the besieging army. The women of the place, in this conflict for their liberties, forgot the delicacy and softness of their sex, and combated with unwearied resolution and desperate courage, by the side of the men. These patriotic females organised themselves into regular battalions, and performed all the duties of the garrison, with alacrity and precision. Unfortunately the hopes of successful resistance, inspired the citizens of Haerlem with sentiments of unjustifiable animosity and revenge. With a cruelty not to be palliated, they hanged on the ramparts of the town the Spaniards