land, one hundred and ten vessels were tuous, and of a good colour. It has the fitted out for Greenland, and forty for rare advantage of communicating its Davis's Streights : in 1785 there were no flavour to tobaccos of an inferior quamore than sixty-eight: and the fishery lity; there is a great deal of this latter continued on the decline till 1799, when sort in Holland, but that which grows in the English intercepted the convoy on its the department of Guelderland passes return from Greenland, and completed for the worst. its destruction. Amsterdam and Rot- The Dutch are not, however, confined terdam enjoyed the greatest share of the to the tobacco which their own soil prowhale-fisheries. The wealth of this duces; they consume a great quantity commerce is now chiefly enjoyed by the beside, which they get from North AmeEnglish and Americans: some few other rica, principally from Maryland; and powers have a small part; of this number some from the Carraccas. The tobacco, are the Danes, and the Portuguese and both in leaf and manufactured, is exSpaniards in their colonies in the New ported in considerable quantities to GerWorld. many, and the north of Europe. The The produce of the fisheries was im- manufactory of it was for a long time an portant to Holland; it is ascertained, that object of great importance to Holland; it supported at least twenty thousand the city of Amsterdam alone, at one pefamilies; the number of vessels which riod, employed no less than three thousailed annually from the several ports sand hands, but this branch of trade has employed in the fisheries, was estiinated also much decayed from what it origiat five or six hundred. nally was. The East and West India trade, was Pipes, pens, tiles, bricks, and earthenalso a mine of wealth to Holland; they bad ware, are the chief articles now manua considerable share of it. The East and factured in Holland; the pottery of BerWest India Companies still exist; but gen op Zoom, is in great estimation; deprived of her colonies by the English, and that of Delft likewise, which gives its Holland derives no benefit from the New name to the yellow ware. World. If we attentively examine what were The principal interior trade of Hol- the sources from which Holland derived land, is certainly that with Germany. her riches, it is easy to observe, that, beThe navigation of the Rhine, luckily, sides the principal causes which have gives the Dutch an opportunity of en- contributed to paralyse the commerce of grossing the trade with the different the country, there are others which are countries that river passes, and also of independant even of these circumstances. the other rivers in Germany, which The great increase of money, augmenting empty their waters into the Rhine. It the price of labour, could not fail to affect opens to them an easy communication those manufactories which were already with the departments of the Saarre, the lessened by the erection of similar ones Rhine and Moselle, Mount Tonnerre, in the neighbouring states, during the and Francfort, which, before the war, last century. It is well known, that in they supplied with the productions of the Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, certain north and south. At that period, Cologne branches of industry were unknown, even engrossed the principal traffic of the at the conclusion of the 17th century. Rhine from that river, the Dutch re- The East India Company chiefly felt the ceived their timber for building; which effects of this decrease. come down in immense floats every which the English made in India, and year from Andernach, to Dort. The that of the French, Danish, and Swedish consumption of this article in Holland, Companies, lessened its traffic, and conmay easily be guessed at, by giving á sequently the returns and profits. glance at its shipping, at the buildings That which supported the trade of which stand upon piles, at the dykes, Holland, down to the period of the and the multitude of mills which serve French revolution, was the immense for so many different purposes. capital to be found in that country. AmTobaccu is an article of some conse- sterdain became the general bank, and quence, even now; that of Amersfort, prescribed the course of exchange to and its vicinity, in the department of Europe ; tbe facility with which the Utrecht, is of a superior quality, and merchants could draw upon their correholds the first place in trade after that spondents in that city, for the amount of of Virginia. The leaf is large, soft, unc- the goods they sold, has preserved in Holland The progress Holland certain branches of commerce, which otherwise would not have flou rished. Religion. By the new constitution, every religious sect is equal in the eye of the law; and their respective ministers are all equally excluded from any of the functions dependant on the government. The provincial synods are nine in number, forming a total of fifty-three classes, to which are attached fifteen hundred and seventy preachers. The Roman Catholics have three hundred churches, which are attended by four hundred priests, without including the conquered countries. The Arminians are spread through the provinces of Guelderland, Holland, Utrecht, and Friesland; this society consists of thirty-four communities, at the head of which are forty-three preachers. The other sects chiefly tolerated in Holland, are the Lutherans, the Anabaptists, the Moravian brethren, distinguished by the name of the Evangelical Fraternity; the Greeks, Armenian Christians, Quakers, and the Jews. Of all the states of Europe, Holland is the one where the Jews have, for a long time back, been admitted to a civil existence; they are divided as elsewhere, into German and Portuguese Jews. The latter are the richest; their manners are more polished, and they are farther removed than the Germans, from the vices and customs with which this nation is reproached in certain parts of Europe. By a decree passed in 1796, the Jews, like the Catholics, have acquired certain political rights. Amsterdam owes a great part of its flourishing situation to the Portuguese Jews; they are looked upon as the most enlightened among the Israelites, and at this day we could enumerate many men of science and learning among them. We shall conclude this article with a reflection, which Sir William Temple made on Holland. "There may be countries where religion does more good; but I am pretty certain there are none, where it does so little harm." Language.-The Dutch language is a dialect of the German. Though it may appear faulty to strangers; yet it is infi nitely more rich in substantives than any other language, ancient or modern; the Greek alone excepted. The whole of the sciences can be expressed in Dutch, without borrowing a single word from the Greek or Latin. The French is, however, so much in use, that all negociations between ilolland and other states are carried on in that language, which daily becomes more in use. The French will, most probably, be the principal language of communication with all polished nations, as for a long time was the Latin. The spirit of philosophy which distinguished the eighteenth century, contributed not a little to this. Strangers learned French to read Racine; they will study it to read the Encyclopédie. While our unhappy emigrants spread our language every where, the French armies penetrated into Italy, Holland, and Germany. They continued there for a long time; they mixed with the people they had conquered; and as the French are not fond of learning strange languages, strangers are obliged to learn theirs. Many neighbouring states, owing to the success of our arms, have become French, and our language has therefore become to them a national one. French, English, and German, are most commonly spoken over Holland. Justice.-Justice is administered in Holland as to the civil law, like most other countries; but the criminal jurisprudence does honour to human nature, without encouraging disorders. The Dutch judges never forget that the criminal is a man: as incorruptible as the law, they pronounce with severity, but always with regret. There is no country in Europe where fewer crimes are committed; and justice has rarely occasion to make use of extreme rigour. Continual employment, no doubt, contributes to this preservation of good order, as well as the vigilance of the magistrates. The management of their prisons leaves nothing to wish for: in this instance, Holland offers a most perfect model. There are houses of confinement for every sort of crime. That known by the name of the Werkhuis, at Amsterdam, is a pattern in its way; it is a large building divided into two parts, one of which is called the Rasphuis, for the prisoners are employed in rasping dying woods; it serves to employ those who have been guilty of petty crimes; the other, known by the name of the Spinhuis, is appropriated to females of a dissolute and vicious life. The town of Bergen-op-Zoom con tains a prison exclusively reserved for the military, who have been guilty of crimes; they are employed on public works. Charities. The establishments of this nature are very numerous throughout Batavia. There is not a town which has not its Werkhuis, or its orphan-house; and 6. The and many villages liave them likewise. It is to this economy, the Dutch must Several dispensaries have been establishe attribute the beauty and utility of their ed, wbere medicines are distributed gratis public works; the multiplicity of bridges, to the poor; and there is a central hos- of high roads. This economy enables the pital for the vaccine inoculation. Speedy community at large to pay the taxes, assistance is given to persons found which by this means are less sensibly felt, drowned, which in a country so inter- than elsewhere. In no country are comsected by water, too frequently happens. mercial engagements more religiously obIn fact, every day gives rise to some in- served, and no where are domestic virstitution of public utility. An establish- tues held in higher estimation. Far frora ment, destined to the support of disabled blaming in the Dutch those qualities seamen, was much wanting in Holland. which they have maintained, even to the His Majesty, King Louis Napoleon, has very day we write, we should on the conJately commanded that a large building, trary applaud then for having preserved at Delfshaven, on the banks of the Meuse, that spirit of order, which is inseparable which formerly belonged to the East from real economy, and render them the India Company, should be appropriated justice which is their due. to this most essential purpose. The French abandon the smiling banks Character of the Dutch.-Fidelity and of the Loire and of the Seine, to inhabit good faith form the distinguishing cha- those of the Sprée and of the Neva; racteristic of a Hollander. He is natu- that is not the case with the Dutchman. rally phleginatic,laborious and persevering He is only happy amidst his shipping and in his resolutions. It is sufficient to look canals; and it, through interested motives, over the annals of the revolution of the he is induced to leave his native soil, he United Provinces, in order to form a delights to find in his new country, a judgment of what a nation is capable of similar local situation, and its accustoined undertaking, which wishes to shake off the habits; it is for this reason that Batavia, yoke of tyranny; and in our own time we 'from its low, fat, marshy position, makes have seen the Dutch, united with the him forget the immensity of space which French, vying in courage with the latter, divides him from the Texel. to drive froin their territory the enemy, Dutch, (says Monsieur Garrat, in his who sought to be masters of it. We have Memoir relative to Holland,) have, I may I beheld the Dutch worthy the descendants say, built Holland; they almost appear to of those Batavians, who for a long series of say to themselves, What we have done is years were the admiration of all Europe, well.” We do not now describe them as a peo- Bread is not, as in France, the principal ple, in whom avarice has stifled every food of the people; it constitutes but noble and generous sentiment. We a small part of their daily wants; a must not, however, confound that eco- whole Dutch family will not consume in nony on which public as well as private a day, as much as a native of the former fortune depends, with that sordid ava- province of Linousin would scarcely rice 'whieb destroys every liberal idea. think enough for his subsistence. It is true, however, that the manners Besides the grain of which bread is of the Durch are much changed within a usually made, the people make use of century. We do not see them toiling buck-wheat and barley, whether ground, incessantly, with the loss of ease and com- or whole; of this there is a very great fort, to heap up wealth, in order to leave consumption. Potatoes are much culit to their heirs; but it is no less true, tivated also. that Holland is still the country where The English custom of eating meat luxury has made the least progress. It half raw, is not adopted in Holland; and is but very rare, that their expences can they follow the general custom of most equal their revenue; and when that is the nations of Europe, to give it that degree case, the Dutch think the year very of cookery, necessary to facilitate both badly employed : this mode of living mastication and digestion. The Dutch takes away from a man's credit and re- consume a vast quantity of salted meat, putation, as much as a wanion and pro- which is held in higher estimation, than fuse extravagance does in other parts of perhaps any where; their mode of curing Europe. A Dutchman, therefore, is it being so excellent. The hams of this lost in the opinion of the public, when it country, but particularly those of Guelis kuown that he has dissipated his for- derland, are in high repute among fotune, either through unforeseen circum- reigners. They consume large quantities stances, or luis own misconduct, of geese and wild-ducks. Whatever тау may be the reason, the consumption of flesh-meat by no means equals that of fish, which constitutes a most essential part of their nourishment. In several districts of Holland, the ordinary diet of the people is fish, with the addition of potatoes and flour. Animal food, in general, bears a very high price in Holland. Beer is the principal drink, but the consumption is much less since the introduction of tea and coffee. If the use of beer, however, has decreased, mead and other liquors made from honey and sugar, have fallen more into disuse, since the Dutch have found the means of procuring wines at a reasonable price, which they import from France, Spain, and Germany. They use great quantities of spirituous liquors, particularly Geneva, which they upon as a national liquor. look To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, BIOGRAPHER fulfils but half his A BIOGRAPHER fulfis but half his the public actions of the individual whom be commemorates, without following him into the scenes of private life. We are all curious to ascertain the personal habits and particularities of an illustrious character, and are even gratified by discovering what the Marquis de l'Hôpital enquired, respecting Sir Isaac Newton, whether he ate, drank, and slept, like other men. The reason is obvious; an acquaintance of this sort with the person and manners, embodies our idea of the subject of the narrative, and brings the circumstances of it more distinctly to our mind's eye. I apprehend that no person can read the description of a battle, without having a graphic representation of the scene of action, and of the respective generals, present to his imagination; and the same effort of that power of the mind, less in degree, is exerted whilst tracing the life of an individual. Thus, whenever the name of Socrates is mentioned, we straightway perceive the prominent forehead, baldness, and oorns of the father of philosophy; and our idea of Queen Elizabeth is inseparably connected with a large ruff and diamond stomacher. I have prefixed the above observations as prolegomena," to an historical deduction, which in some measure tends to particularize an individual of considerable importance, in the annals of the Roman empire. As I approve of a mathematical 4 form of proof, wherever it can conveniently be introduced, I shall give an enunciation of the fact, and then proceed to demonstrate. Balimer, the father of Theodoric, who conquered Italy, wore silk next his skin, and was not subject to much cutaneous moisture. Proof.-Persons of dry skins, (and no other) upon pulling off stockings made of silk, (and no other materials) often observe electric sparks proceeding from their legs. Now Balimer, observed this phenomenon: therefore Balimer was a dry man, and wore silk next his skin. Q. E. D. Eustathius, p. 513. 4. Ed. Rom. Bariusp ὁ Θευδρίχου πατὴρ, ὁ κατακρατήσας Ιταλίας, φασὶν, ἁπάσης, του οικείου σώματος σπινθῆρας ἀπέπαλλε. Καίτις δὲ σοφὸς παλαιός φησι περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, ὅτι ἐνδυομένου ποτὲ καὶ ἐκδυομένου ἀπτοῦ, σπινθήρες ἀπεπήδων ἐξαίσιοι, ἔστιν ὅτε καὶ κτυποῦντες· ἐνίοτε· δὲ καὶ φλόγες ὅλαι κατε λάμπον, φησὶ, τὸ ἱμάτιον μὴ καίουσαι This is curious, as being the first electrical observation, that I am aware of, on notions of modern philosophers have in record. As another instance, that the many cases been anticipated by the ancients, I will observe, that an idea which has been favourably received amongst geologists of late years, and which indeed appears a physical probability, was first suggested by an author, of whom these theorists, I imagine, never heard the name. is, that the nucleus of the earth consists The hypothesis to which I allude of water; and certainly it solves the phonomena of subterraneous convulsions with great facility; the author mentioned, is Gregorius Cyprius, Patriarch of Constantinople, in a tract entitled, "Maris Laudatio." p. 6. Ed. Morel. Paris. Καὶ θέσις δὲ αὐτῇ, ὡς ἐκ τῶν εἰρημένων εἰκάν σαι, τὸ μεσαίτατον τοῦ παντὸς, είπερ καὶ τῆς γῆς τὸ μέσον ἀπονενέμηται τῇ θαλάσσῃ· καὶ κινδυνεύει τῷ λόγῳ, μὴ κέντρον τὴν γῆν δὲ θάλασε av sivas. B. J. C. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, forciblystruck, than by that touching arHAVE seldom, in my life, been more gument of Rousseau's, in favour of making children happy, during infancy, from the probability that they may never taste the happiness of a remoter period, but that accident or disease may bring them to an early grave. Nothing can be more af fecting than such a consideration. This led me to speculate upon the general happiness of the inhabitants of boardingschools, and upon the carelessness with which many a naturally tender mother consigns a consigns her darling, to the care of a per. governess. In the case of the slave. son almost unknown to her; and satisfied trade, Mr. Clarkson found it impossible with perceiving no immediate signs of ill to induce many of his evidence to tell the health, or dissatisfaction, when she comes same story to the house of commons, home in the holidays, neglects to enquire they had done to him, froin fear of the how the intermediate time has been resentment of the other party. The mospent; how inany tears have been shed; tive of this letter is to excite tenderness how much of happiness, or at least the in the bosoms of those who have the capacity for happiness, has been thrown care of youth; and in their parents, vi, away, by the mistaken moral views of gilance to discover the want of it, at their teachers. I beg leave most de- those times when cross examination and cisively to protest against any general enquiry is in their power. Whoever has reflections; I have no doubt but many had an opportunity of comparing the heads of the institutions I allude to, are feelings of one time of life, with those of tender, benevolent, and excellent per- another, will find that, when very young, sons; to such, my observations do not they are infinitely more acute, than at a apply, and happy are the children that more advanced age, when they are mofall under their care: but when I recol- derated by other considerations. An lect the sight of an innocent creature, unkind look, or word, at that time goes moistening a scanty piece of dry bread, straight to the heart; when older, they (given her for a meal) with her tears, ex- begin to feel that an undeserved reproof posed to all the shame it was in the loses much of its bitterness. If Prince power of authority to inflict, for such Ahmed's* glass were presented to the crimes as making too much noise, or not absent inother, she would often feel her being willing, or perhaps able, to learn a heart wring with the sight of the mariner tedious task; surely I have thought these in which her child was passing her time. people imagine the world too happy, that I have no doubt, but the present rage for they must be in such a hurry to make accomplishments has contributed to the their fellow-creatures taste the cup of destruction of the happiness, and even misery. I do not object to wholesome the life of inany a delicate girl. I would discipline, but I contend, that starvation have them take in as much of those emis not a proper punishment. This evil is bellishments, as they have a decided taste not so prevalent in boys' schools, as in for; but I would not make them the first those of girls; indeed, I am inclined to object of their lives. Let them have no think it very rarely exists ainong the for- melancholy associations with the days of iner; but among the latter, the notions their youth, and they will probably lay in of delicacy, fine shapes, and perhaps a a stock of chearfulness, that may enlittle economy lurking at the bottom, hance their future happiness, or soften are often destructive of the comforts of a their future misery, I cannot end this hearty meal. The evils that are the con- better, than by giving the reader the elosequences of this system are innumer- quent passage I alluded to at the beginable. Ask any physician,whether most of ning of my letter. the sickness he meets with among the " Que fauc il donc penser de cette edupoor, does not arise from their being ill cation barbare qui sacrifie le present à un fed. Growing children, if in health, have avenir incertain, qui charge un enfant de always very good appetites; and if they chaines de tout espece, et commence par are stinted, the consequence must be a le rendre miserable pour lui preparer au loss of strength that will render them loin, je ne sais quel pretendu bonheur, more easily the prey of any accidental dont il est à croire qu'il ne jouira jamais? disorder; and it is notorious, that one of Quand je supposerois cette éducation the causes of scrofula and consumption raisonnable dans son objet, comment is low feeding. The appetite easily ac voir sans indignation de pauvres inforcommodates itself to an allowance, and tunés soumis à un joug insupportable, et the present suffering, after a while, is not condamnés à des travaux continuels so much as the future danger; it is not comme des galériens, sans être assuré therefore surprizing, that it should not que tant de soins leur seront jamais dwell sufficiently on a child's mind, to utiles ? L'âge de la gaieté se passe au induce any complaints at home; to milieu des pleurs, des châtimens, des which may be added, the odion that at- menaces, de l'esclavage. On tourmente tends an informer, the dishonour that is le malheureux pour son bien, et l'on ve affixed to any tales told out of school, and the fear of being confronted with her * Arabian Nights. a |