The Characters of the Belgic Confederacy

His principal weight and influence in the republic are derived from his independent title. As Stottholder of the Union he has, however, considerable prerogatives. His revenue, exclusive of his private income, amounts to 300,000 florins. The standing army which he commands consists of about 40,000 men. It was long ago remarked that nothing but the hatred of his countrymen to the House of Austria kept them from being ruined by the vices of their constitution.