American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-27
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH
HoIland---Its Characteristics and Its

domestic affairs and the state of revolutionary
feeling in Europe remind us of the wealth,
commercial spirit, and revolutionary exploits
Of the country commonly called Holland, il
will probably prove interesting, and certainly
instructive, to look into the history of this
former republic, but now kingdom with much
of the republican spirit still running through
its institutions
That State which assumes to itself the title
of Empire State" was originally settled by
the commercial enterprise of this great people
and multitudes of these who now inhabit it ar,
the posterity of natives Of that country.
We shall endeavor to present to our readers,
in as condensed manner as possible, histori-
cal account Of Holland, or the Netherlands,
from the time when its history becomes an OBJ
ject of obvious interest in the annals of Europe,
and of deep philosophical interest to the man
who believes in the philosophy of history We
propose to do this in few successive numbers
The development of the history of this coun-
try will show the growth of its power, and de-
velope the sources of its great opulence at the
present day; and the knowledge of these things
will suggest most salutary reflections
In geography, Holland;is an appellation ap-
Piled to the seven United Provinces collectively,
viz: Guelderland, Holland, Zealand, Utrecht,
Overyssel, Groningen, and Friesland, but prin-
cipally belonging to the chief of them. This
country, once celebrated republic, derives its
name from the German word Hohl, which is
synonymous with the English word hollow and
denotes concave or very low country. The
people are called Dutch, from the German
Deutsch, or Teutsch; but Deutschland properly
signifies the vast extent of Germany itself,
though by the English restricted to small
portion, using dialect of the German language
These provinces extend from the north of Gro.
ningen to the southern boundary, along Aus
trian Flanders and Brabant, about one hundred
and fifty English miles and in breadth from
the north sea to the kingdom of Westphalia,
about one hundred English miles. Their sur
face is estimated at ten thousand square miles
less than two thirds of the State of Maryland ;
yet the population of this country is computed
at about four millions, of course exclusive of
her colonies.
The country is low and marshy, some parts
of it being lower than the sea, from the inun-
dations of which it is secured by dikes or dams
and the meadows, which are covered with water
in the winter are freed from it by means of en-
gines constructed to discharge it into the bitches
and canals.
Among the marshes that deform the general
face Of the country the traveller observes nu-
merous and important cities and towns with
admiration, and which excite vivid ideas of the
astonishing power Of active industry, which has
formed a habitablc and enviable abode amidst the
greatest natural disadvantages. The marshes,
morasses, and heaths which are characteristic
Of the different provinces are intermixed with
groves, gardens, and meadows.
Holland furnishes little scope for what is usu-
ally termed agriculture, the land being mostly
appropriated to pasturage. In the north of Hol-
land, and in Friesand, so excellent are the pas
lures that good butter forms prominent staple
article Of commerce.
The chief rivers Of Holland are the Rhine
and the Meuse The lakes are few and Of small
extent, if we except that called the sea Of Haer-
lem, on the north of which is the Ye, broad
sheet Of water resembling an arm Of the sea-
This country has neither elevated woodlands
nor mines. Fish abound on its shores; but its
herrings are chiefly obtained in the Northern
Ocean. The herring trade, once an almost ex-
elusive possession Of Holland, was one of the
first and greatest sources Of its wealth. The
climate is cold and humid, and the dress of the
inhabitants is more adapted to warmth than
elegance. The houses and streets, in both the
towns and villages, are remarkable for their
cleanliness and neatness.
The temperament of the Dutch is pblegmatic
Labor and perseverance are among the striking
characteristics. 1t has been asserted of them
that they love money more than any other
European people; but the assertion is not true.
They are, and have for ages been, more eco
nomical than any others, except, perhaps the
Swiss; but the occasions have been numerous
and conspicuous in which they have shown, in
a patriotic and religious cause, an entire disre-
gard of money; and, paradoxical as the idea
may appear, this has been one Of the many
causes of their great wealth.
The canals Of Holland, not less numerous
than the roads in other countries, have been
the channels of commercial and social inter-
course, serving to augment the inland trade
under the decline Of their foreign commerce.
The Dutch language is dialect of the Ger
man, and proves that they are chiefly Of Teu-
tonic origin. The literature Of Holland has
an honorable rank. Among those
who have contributed to its literary reputation,
we may mention Erasmus, Johannes Secundus,
Tor Hans dc Swede,) Grotius, Boerhaave, Paul
Merula, Adrian Junius, Meursius, Doresa,
EIeinsius, the younger Vossius, and Hoogevien
Of Leyden, who died in 1794, after acquiring
The renntntinn Of heinn the first Greek scholar