PREFACE

Te story of Hans Brinker, or of any boy born and bred
in Holland, cannot be fitly told without including some-
thing of the story of Holland itself, — of its history, its oddities,
and the leading characteristics of its heroic and thrifty people.
All these must be borne in mind, for some of the traits peculiar
to his race are ingrained in every Hollander, young or old, and
Holland is us different from Elsewhere.as can be imagined.

Therefore, necessary and careful descriptions of Dutch life
and customs have been given in the narrative, and many of
the incidents are drawn directly from life. Even the won-
derful experiences of Raff Brinker are founded strictly upon
fact.

While acknowledging my obligations to many well-known
writers on Dutch history, literature and art, I turn with espe-
cial gratitude to two kind friends, natives of Holland, who,
after their marriage, had taken up their abode in this country.
With generous zeal, they patiently answered questions, and
took many a backward glance at their country for my sake,
seeing it as it looked, years ago, when the humble home of
the Brinkers crouched by the sheltering dike in sunlight and
shadow.

It was my tardy good fortune to visit Holland not long after
this book was written, and see with my own eyes the land I
had tried to picture for my readers. The Brinker cottage