AMBROSIUS, MARQUIS DE, one of the greatest generals of his time, was born at Genoa in 1569. His family had originally come from Spinola, a small town in the north of Italy; and one of his ancestors, on coming to Genoa, had amassed a considerable fortune by mercantile speculations. His brother Frederic, who had entered the naval service of Spain, and had attained the rank of admiral in a year or two, came to Genoa, and induced Ambrosio, then a quiet citizen, to undertake the command of the land forces, while he should scour the sea with his ships. Ambrosio left Milan in May 1602, and by steady discipline and regular pay, avoided the disorder and mutiny which prevailed among the majority of the Spanish troops. Entering the low countries under Mendoza, he was defeated at the siege of Grave, which he had gone to relieve, by the renowned general, Prince Maurice, on the 20th September 1602. Shortly after Spinola was appointed general-in-chief of the forces of Spain, and he gained great distinction by the taking of Ostend from the Dutch, which the Spaniards had besieged for three years and two months. Having repaired to Madrid, he was received by King Philip III. with every mark of distinction, and was appointed commander-in-chief of all the Spanish and Italian forces in the Netherlands. In an interview with Henry IV. of France, to which he was admitted on his way to resume his command in the Netherlands, that monarch took the opportunity of inquiring at the Spanish commander his plans for the ensuing campaign. Spinola caught his drift, and detailed them literally as he intended to execute them. The cunning monarch taking it for granted that Spinola's intentions were directly the opposite of what he had narrated to him, wrote off forthwith to Prince Maurice the very contrary of what he had been told. "Others," said Henry IV. afterwards, "have deceived me by falsehood, but Spinola by speaking the truth." An armistice was shortly afterwards proposed by the Court of Madrid, and Spinola and Maurice were at peace for twelve years. Spain again renewed her claims upon Holland in 1621, on occasion of the disputed succession to the Duchy of Cleves. This roused again the old foes, Spinola and Maurice, but Spinola had the good fortune to have all the luck on his side. Juliers was taken, and Breda was besieged by the Spaniards. The Prince of Nassau (Maurice) died of a fever caught in the low marshes which surround the town of Breda. Spinola's health was likewise shaken, and after the opening of the gates of Breda, he retired from the command of the Spanish forces. He died in 1630, it is said of vexation and disappointment at having his pecuniary claims disregarded by the court of Spain.