of Holland, and an ordinance was published requiring that every person should deliver up all the uncoined gold and silver, or plate (except spoons or forks), in his possession. For the precious metals thus furnished a receipt was granted, which was taken as a part of the further contributions which the holder was bound to pay to the state; or if the quantity of plate furnished exceeded the amount of the taxes otherwise to be paid by the person so furnishing, he received at his option government currency, or the obligation was funded. In this ordinance were included personal ornaments, if they exceeded the value of three hundred florins, and all medals and foreign coins not current in the republic. This measure of terrible state-necessity and embarrassment, far from exciting murmurs or discontents, was obeyed throughout the United Provinces with the utmost alacrity and cheerfulness; and in this instance perhaps the love of country prevailed over avarice, for from the quantity of plate received, which was considerably more than the estimate that had
