CHAPTER IX

NMNOLLAND TO-DAY

6S Qala OLLAND is stanch, true, and plucky,
CaN ee

“) but it is Holland; and, lest you for-

  

    

  

  

get that it still is the oddest country
in Christendom, I must tell you that
within a few years a new king has

succeeded to its throne—and this

 

new king is a bright little girl not
yet fifteen years of age! Yes, the High Council of Hol-
land solemnly decreed that officials and other public ser-
vants should take the oath of allegiance, not to Queen but
to King Wilhelmina! The Dutch newspapers protested
vehemently against this form, as being contrary to common
sense. But the High Court of Holland does not yield to
dictation, and the press, it seems, at last adopted a dignified
silence in the matter. Possibly the expression “King Wil-
helmina” may recall to some readers that historic incident
of 1740, when the heroic young Empress of Austria, beset
with foes, heard her impassioned Hungarian nobles shout-
ing, as their swords leaped from their scabbards: “Let us
die for our King, Maria Theresa !”
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