212 



THE DISCOVERY OF AUSTRALIA 



England had other rivals in the far East. In addition to 

 Portuguese Crusaders, were 'Dutch men of business. 



The Dutch In spirit, as in date, the Dutch Republic was by far 

 the most modern state in Europe. Dutch patriots 

 had fought and had died for justice and liberty in one 

 of the great pitched battles of human history. " The 

 political reformation of Europe," writes Sir William 

 Hunter, " dates from the Dutch Declaration of Independ- 

 ence of 1581. Then, for the first time, was asserted and 

 enforced the principle that government exists for nations, 

 not nations for governments, as no abstract dogma, but 

 as a truth for which a whole nation was willing to die." 

 Strife against tyranny stiffened the fibre of character, 

 and gave consistency and strength to conduct. The 



Liberty. Republic became the home of Soul-Liberty. The intellect 

 was stirred and strengthened to free and vigorous life. 

 The people were the best educated in the world. The 

 University of Leyden, child of war for an idea, explained 

 that idea to Europe. Free soul and free mind grew 

 in a free state that represented and served the whole 

 people. 



Wealth. There was equal pre-eminence in things material. Con- 

 science and intelligence found expression in the industry 

 of day to day. No people of their number produced 

 wealth so great. In all pastoral and agricultural pursuits 

 the Dutch taught the world. But their industrial strength 

 centred in the great cities. Here were made the best 

 linens in the world. And here lived the Burghers, who 

 had organized world-commerce with skill and with success 

 that far surpassed all precedent. It was they, above 

 all, who won wealth for that " extraordinary soil which 

 produced nothing, and teemed with everything " ; which 

 " had neither timber, nor stone, nor wheat, nor spices, 

 yet was the great world-market for all that men desire." 

 " Commerce and Holland were simply synonymous terms 

 ... Its morsel of territory was but the wharf to which 

 the Republic was occasionally moored ; its home was 

 in every Ocean and all over the World." 1 



1 Motley's Dutch Republic. 



