THE DUTCH HAVE TAKEN HOLLAND 15

already, you will understand Dutch pluck in all its full-
ness, and be glad that, in the end, it proved victorious
over every foe.

But, as you have been told before, it is not only amid
the din of war that Holland has shown her pluck; nor is
hers the bragging, boisterous quality that offends at every
turn. A simpler, firmer, more peacefully inclined people
it would be hard to find; but somehow they have an odd
way of being actively concerned in the history of other
nations. Possibly this is due to the fact that their pecu-
liar simplicity and love of quiet have proved a sort of
standing invitation to those who would make war with
them; possibly it is because of their great commercial
enterprise, and their tempting stores; but, to my mind,
their remarkably far-seeing, though seemingly sleepy, way
of looking at things, has had much to do with their
progress. They-seem never to threaten, yet always to
perform; never to prepare, but always to be ready.