The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-07-17
LITERATURE.


BOOKS.
History OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN DE-
WITT, Grand PensiOnary Of Holland. BY james
Geddes. Vol. l.--lG23-l654. New York: Har
per N Brothers. Chicago: Jansen, McClurg 4
Co. Ottawa: Osman X llapeman. Price 81 81
The success Of Motley in constructing from ma
tcrias so apparently unpromsing his delightful
history of Oldcnbarneveldt, may have encouraged
Mr.. Geddcs in the present undertaking to write
the history Of another grand pensionary of IIol.
land who in genius, career and tragic fate 50
closely rcscmbled his eminent predecessor The
situation Of the Netherlands in those times was
anomalous. But few decades before emerged
from the long and bloody contest for indcpen.
dence with Span, the country was divided into
seven independent little states each with its own
legislature or "raad,n while each sent delegates
ling our continental congress before the revoll.
ton. or these states" Holland was altogether
the most important, and its "grand pcnsionary'
held in reference to that state as well as the states
general position somewhat resembling in its
functions those of secretary of state in our gov.
eminent. Rising above him in authority, how
ever, was the grand stakeholder, or gencraissimo
of tho armies of the states, like our Washington
in revolutionary times, and this office was claim
ed by prescription by the Orange family, who in.
deed asserted regal dignity and authority and
were in a perpetual wrangle with the states as to
the extent of their powers.
John De Witt, who was born at bort, in 1925,
had inherited from his father, who had been
prominent in the government of his own little
state Of Dordrecht rs we'll as member of the
tatcs general, strong republican and anti Orange
tendencies. He received the best university edu-
cation the age could give him, and then settled
at the Hague in the practice OF his chosen pro.
fcssion of the law. 1t was impossible, however,
that he should not become n participant in the
exciting political discussions with which the
states at that time were pervaded, and the part
he took brought him rapidly into such notice that
he was elevated to the dignity Of grand pension.
AIRY In this position his power was at once ey
crted to curtail the authority and prctcnsions Of
the stakeholder, and he actually succeeded IN hay
ing the office abolished, concluding secret treaty
with Cromwell by which England was to stand
by Holland in forever excluding the house Of
Orange from the Office. The fall of Cromwell,
however, ended that treaty and Charles being the
relative and friend of the house of Orange, De
Witt sought an alliance with France, upon which
England declared war against Holland. The re.
suit was disastrous. In seven months England
had destroyed the bulk Of the Dutch commerce
through the channel. Industry was paralysed
and the whole country ripe for revolution.
Thus far we have but the first volume Of the
history, which leaves our hero in the midst of
these apparently inextrieablc difficulties Those
who have attentiyely followed him thus far will
no doubt eagerly anticipate the appearance Of
the concluding volume.
The style OF the author 1t is but just to say, is
pcrspcuous and pleasant, and he has
unquestionably succeeded in investing with con.
siderable interest period almost destitute Of
heroic and romantic elements, yet full Of those
intricacics and master strokes OF diplomacy and
state-crsft that justify the saying that "peace
hath her victories as well us war"
MASTERPIECES OF ENGLISH LITERATURE. Being
typical selections Of British and American
authorship from Shakespeare to the present
time For use in Normal Schools, Academies
&c. b. William Swinton. With Portraits
New York: Harper ~ Brothers. Chicago: Jan
sen, McClurg IL Co. Ottawa: Osmsn Il lIapc.
man. Price Sl.75.
The book, as "reader," furnishes selections,
evidently made with great care from forty differ
ent authors, the best known In English lltcra.
ture. Each author is introduced by portrait
and appropriate characterization" by some dis
tinguished critic. preliminary chapter is de.
voted to definitions in literature, and on each
page are foot notes, defining terms and phrases
aud suggesting points for literary analysis The
work thus seems fully to occupy the place which
the author claims for 1t, ''at the meeting point
between literature and rhetoric, to restore the
twain TO their natural and fruitful relationship
On the side OF literature It 10 intended as the ac
commandment of anv cisss :. 1Aok On that subjsct