THE DUTCH HAVE TAKEN HOLLAND 65

that would have discouraged others, inspired the Dutch
with increased energy. Their land was only a marsh
threatened by the sea. What of that? So much the
more need of labor and skill to make it a hailing-place
among nations. It was barren and bleak. “Why, then,”
said they, “so much the more need for us to become
masters in tilling the soil” It was a very little place,
scarcely worth a name on the maps. “So much the more
need,” said plucky Holland, “that we extend our posses-
sions, gain lands in every corner of the earth, and send
our ships far and near, until every nation shall uncon-
sciously pay us tribute.”

“Such is the industry of the people and the trade
they drive,” said a writer of the sixteenth century, “that,
having little or no corn of their own growth, they do
provide themselves elsewhere, not only sufficient for their
own spending, but wherewith to supply their neighbors.
Having no timber of their own, they spend more timber
in building ships and fencing their water-courses than
any country in the world... . And finally, having
neither flax nor wool, they make more cloth of both sorts
than is made in all the countries of the world, except
France and England.”

Of some things they soon began to have a surplus.
There were not half nor a quarter enough persons in frugal
Holland to drink all the milk of their herds. Forthwith
Dutch butter and cheese came to be sent all over Chris-
tendom. The herring-fisheries were enormous. More fish
came to their nets than would satisfy every man, woman,

and child in Holland. England had enough herring of,
5