Sect. I. The Accidents that fell out in our Voyage, &c.

WE departed from London Thurſday January 16th. 1690. about Nine in the Morning, and came that Night to Cittingbourn; the next Day, about Noon, we came to Margaret, in the Iſle of Thanet; and the ſame Evening we went on Board the Frigat that carried His Majeſty's Muſick, which lay then in the Road, with the reſt of the Fleet, Commanded by Admiral Rooke: Early the next morning, being Saturday the 17th. the King Arriv'd from Graves-end, attended by the Dukes of Norfolk and Ormond, the Earls of Devonſhire, Dorſet and Portland, and other Grandees of the Court: About Noon, the Signal being given from the Admiral, the whole Fleet conſiſting of Twelve Men of War, Seven Yatchs, and many Tenders, ſet Sail, with a fair Gale. On Tueſday the 20th, We came in ſight of the Coaſt of Holland, near the Iſland of Goree, but the weather being darkned with Foggs, and the Shore choak'd up with heaps of Ice, pil'd up one upon another, it was not for us to come near: However the King put himſelf into a Shallop to get to the Land, notwithſtanding the danger that threatned him; and when all the reſt were terrified with the Perils wherein His Majeſty ventur'd his Perſon; and the Seamen themſelves were not in a little Terror, it was obſerv'd; that He himſelf, was the only Perſon, nothing at all diſmay'd. In the mean time the Foggs grew thicker and thicker, inſomuch, that we who were in the Man of War, ſoon loſt ſight of the Shallop, where the King was; and Night coming on, His Majeſty was for Ten hours expos'd to all the Injuries of the Air, and the Waves of the Sea, which fometimes came into the Shallop; ſo that the Lords who were with him, had their Cloaths all covered with Ice: However the next morning His Majeſty Landed in the Iſland Goree, and went into a Country Man's houſe, which had no more room to receive Him, and all the Lords of his Train, than one miſerable Chamber and a Kitchin; But it was a welcome Retreat after ſo great a Hazard. After the King had ſhifted his Linnen and his Cloaths, and had been Complemented by the Magiſtrate of the Iſland, who offered him his Houſe, which His Majeſty refuſed, He took Coach again in the ſame Coach that brought him to the Country Mans Houſe, and went aboard the Shallop again, to Land upon the firm Continent; But then he met with new difficulties, for the ſmall Veſſel could not get near the Shore for the Ice; ſo that two Seamen were forced to take the King in their Arms, and carry him to the Shallop: At laſt His Majeſty, with our whole Fleet of Tenders, (the Men of War returning for England) Arriv'd at a place called Orangie Poldar; here His Majeſty was Complemented by the Prince of Naſſau Sarbrach, Camp-Marſhall, the Count of Berka, the Emperors extraordinary Envoy, Monſieur Catonna, the Spaniſh Ambaſſador, the Deputies of the States of Holland, the Prince of Frizeland, Count Horn; and ſeveral other Perſons of the Higheſt Quality, who attended him to Houſlaerdike, where he repoſed himſelf for ſome hours. 'Twas thought His Majeſty would have continu'd here for ſome Days, till all things were ready for the Magnificent Entry they were reſolv'd to make for Him. But he told them, he deſired none of thoſe Honours, well knowing that the Glory of a Prince does not conſiſt in Appearing, but in Acting. The King therefore went the ſame day to the Hague, and Arriv'd there about Six in the Evening, Accompanied with the Lords already mentioned, and ſurrounded with the Guards of the Body. And in regard the Kings coming was in a manner a kind of ſurprize, his Entrance was alſo without any Ceremony. So that all that could be done in Teſtimony of the publick Joy, was only by ſome Peals of Cannon, and Ringing the Bells.

Nevertheleſs, the Burgeſſes of the Hague had prepared along time before for His Majeſty's Publick Entry, and had been at conſiderable Charges to make a Glorious Appearance; and all the Towns adjoyning, had prepared to be preſent at the Solemnity. In a Word, all the Holl • nders were willing to ſee the King in Publick, and to aſſure themſelves, with their own Eye, that a Prince, whom they love ſo infinitely, and of whom the common Enemy had ſpread ſo many falſe Reports, was ſtill alive, and returned into their Provinces, which obliged the States to entreat his Majeſty to make a Publick Entry; which he refuſed a long time, that ſuch Ceremonies were but the loſs of that time which he had reſolved to ſpend altogether in Action. At length all that they could obtain from the King was, that he would dine about a quarter of a League from the Hague, at a Houſe of the Earl of Portlands, and return in his Coach through the midſt of the Burgeſſes, ranged in Files, from the Court to the end of the City, which was done on Thurſday, February 22d, about four of the Clock in the Afternoon, to the unexpreſſible Satisfaction of the People, all the Inhabitants of the Towns round about being got together, and perhaps there never was ſeen at the Hague ſuch a vaſt concourſe of People.

I ſhall not ſpend time in deſcribing all the particulars of this Entry, which had nothing of extraordinary Magnificence, except the three Triumphant Arches, which ſurpaſſed in Beauty and Magnificence, all that was ever made in France, under the Reign of Lewis XIV upon the like Occaſions. There you might ſee repreſented the Principal Actions of the King, in Honour of whom they were Erected, Accompanied with ſeveral Inſcriptions and Devices perfectly correſponding with the Subjects to which they were applyed, and which appeared to be done by the hand of a Maſter. There you might particularly ſee Europe delivered from the gripes of her Raviſher; the Liberty of Holland defended and preſerved; that of England reſtored; Ireland ſubdued; and the Proteſtant Religion maintained. The whole Ceremony ended in the Evening with Fire-Works in ſeveral places of the City, ſeveral Peals of Cannon and Vallies of ſmall Shot diſcharged, as well by the Burgeſſes, as by the Regiment of Triſon which was in Arms, with Bonfires and Fire-works, before the Court: After all was over, they ſtill continued giving ſeveral Teſtimonies of their Satisfaction to ſee once more a Prince ſo highly beloved by the Hollanders; and in regard the whole proceeded from a ſincere Affection, there is a great Probability that theſe Rejoyceings will long endure.

On the other ſide the King manifeſted an extraordinary Goodneſs and Affability to all Societies, and private Perſons that came to kiſs his Hands. Admiral Tromp was one of this Number, and his Majeſty honoured him with the command of the Holland Fleet for this Summers Expedition; which was no ſooner ſpread about the Country, but you might ſenſibly perceive an Augmentation of Joy among the Hollanders for the Kings coming: His Coach was environed with crouds of People that followed him where e're he went; and by a Thouſand Acclamations Teſtified their Satisfaction that WILLIAM the Conqueror would command their Army by Land; and Trump, who juſtly may be called a ſecond Neptune, was to command their Fleet by Sea: and here, for the preſent, I ſhall break off my Relations of the tranſactions at the Hague, and divert the Reader with my obſervations on the Place.

Sect. II. Containing a deſcription of the HAGUE.

THis curious Village and moſt delightful Place, the Reſidence of that Auguſt Senate, which has been, as it were, the Arbiter of Peace, and War to all Europe, whoſe charms are ſo great, its Buildings ſo Stately and Magnificent, and its ſtreets ſo large, its ſhades ſo ſweet, its Inhabitants ſo civil, and ſo good Natur'd, that one may call it the Delight of the World; it hath three very pretty and delightful Meadows on the ſide of Delph, and Mountains of Sand on the other ſide, to cover it from the Rage of the Ocean, which is not above half a League diſtant from it; at the end of which is the ſmall Village called Scheveling, which is Inhabited chiefly with Fiſhermen, where is a curious hard ſandy ſhoar, admirably contrived by Nature, for the Divertiſement of Perſons of Quality; and here in the Summer time the States, foreign Ambaſadors, and their Ladies, &c. in their Coaches and ſix Horſes, Ride on the Sands for ſeveral Leagues; the road from the Hague to this Village is a late made way, cut through vaſt deep Mountains of Sand, paved through with curious ſtone, a work fit for the Antient Romans.

That ſide which looks to Leiden, hath a very pretty and large Wood, with curious Walks and Groves, of Oak, Elm, and Lyme-Trees, where there is a Park ſtored with variety of Deer. The Inhabitants take the Air there in the Summer Seaſon, with a Divertiſement capable to render them envy'd even among the Gods, moved by this, that the pretty Ladies, take their pleaſure without fear of the Fabulous plunder, ſo much celebrated by the Greeks, whereby poſſibly they ſometimes make them real and veritable.

The Counts of Holland frequently kept their Courts in this palace, chiefly moved thereunto by the pleaſantneſs of the place, and its commodious Situation for Hunting; Our King (when Prince of Orange,) kept his Court at this place, where he has a moſt ſtately Palace, the back part of which, with the great Hall, ſufficiently teſtify its Antiquity. There is on the ſide of it, a great ſquare, in which place, on the ſide of the Levant are three Magnificent Lodgments, built a few years ſince; the Doeles make the Corner, whereof His Preſent Majeſty, they ſay, lay'd the firſt ſtone: Over againſt the other corner is another Palace built by Prince Maurice of Naſſau, in which are to be ſeen the Portraitures of all the Kings in Europe, with many curioſities brought from America. The Voorhant Frontispiece as well as the Houſes that face the Court on the ſide of the Vivier, make by far the pleaſanteſt Quarter of the Hague, by reaſon of the large and ſpaciouſneſs of the Streets, and the number of Trees that are planted there; you may ſee great numbers of Perſons of Quality of both Sexes reſort thither in the Evening, ſome in their Coaches, and ſome on Foot. The Cloyſter of the Jacobines which was built on the ſaid Voorhant, at this day ſtill retains the name of the Church of the Cloyſter.

There is another Church, built much after the form of the Theater in Oxon, and is of ſo Admirable a piece of Architecture without, that none within the ſeven Provinces (or ſcarce in the World) is comparable to it; there's no pillars within▪ ſo that the Miniſter may be ſeen in every place of the Church, by thouſands of People without any Impediment. The Counts of Holland's Chapple which is in the Court, is at this day a Church for the French Refugees; there are two pretty places like ſquares, the one before, and the other behind the Court, where all the Houſes reſemble thoſe of Princes.

The States of Holland reſide here, as well the Councellors of the Provincial Court, as of the Grand Council. The Cities of Holland have built here very Magnificent Houſes for their Deputies, of which in my Opinion that of Leyden, is one of the beſt Scituate and next the Court. The Ambaſſadors of princes, the States Allies, have their Reſidence here. The Groote Kirck, or great Church is very fine, in the midſt of which is to be ſeen the Arms of the Famous Knights, the Order of Toyſon D'ore, which plainly ſhews that they there Celebrated the Feaſt of the ſaid Toyſon: The Tower is very high, and its Form is Quadrangular, built with bricks, which may be ſeen at a vaſt diſtance: In fine, this place is, at all times, ſo well Inhabited by Gentry, and Perſons of the greateſt Quality; that if we conſider its Splendour, the Magnificence of its Buildings and Streets, the affluence of the Nobles, and the pleaſure of Converſe; The Hague is one of the prettieſt Courts, and the moſt agreeable in the Univerſe.

Sect. III. Some further Relations on the Affairs & Tranſactions at the HAGUE.

AFter the King came to the Hague, few days paſt without the Arrival of ſome Princes, or other conſiderable Perſons, as well to have the Honour to wait upon his Majeſty, as to confer with him about the preſent Affairs. 'Tis true that moſt of the Princes came Incognito, as well to avoid the diſputes of Precedency, as to confer more Familiarly together, and without the Peſterment of Formalities. The Elector of Brandenburgh, who lay at Cleves for ſome time, in expectation of the Kings coming, no ſooner heard of his Arrival by the Courriers that were forthwith diſpatched to give him notice thereof, but he haſtened to the Hague, where he Arriv'd in Cognito, the 24th of January, The Duke of Wirtenbergh, Prince Regent, during the Minority of the Heir, and the Prince his Brother arrived the 29th, and were admitted to the King a little time after. The Count of Windiſgrats, from the Emperor, Arrived February 4th, and was immediately admitted to the King. The Duke of Bavaria Arriv'd the 6th, about ten of the Clock at Night, and went to wait upon the King the next day about four a Clock in the Afternoon, with whom he had a Conference of two hours long. The Marqueſs of Caſtanaga, Governour of the Spaniſh Netherlands, arriv'd the next day with a jolly Train, of which however but one part appear'd, becauſe the Princes were Incognito. The Landgrave of Heſſe Caſſel arriv'd the 11th, accompanied by the Count of Lippe, the Baron of Gars, and ſeveral other Lords. The Prince of Commerci, General of the Imperial Forces, arriv'd the 15th. The Duke, and one Prince of Courland, arrived the next day. The King regalio'd the greateſt part of theſe Princes, and was alſo pleaſed to accept of Entertainments at ſome of their Houſes. It would be too long to make a Recital of all theſe Feaſts. I ſhall only therefore mention two; to ſhew what are the principal Ceremonies obſerved upon ſuch Occaſions.

His Majeſty gave an entertainment to the Elector of Brandenburgh the 3d. of February, at his Houſe in the Wood; the King had an hours Conference with the Elector, which being ended, they entered into a ſpacious Dining Room, where was a Table and Cloth lay'd, with one only ſingle Vermeil Furniture, (conſiſting of the Gold Plate, fine Napkins, Knife, Fork, and Spoon,) and an Elbow Chair, where the King ſat down; After that a Chair was brought for the Elector, with a white Sattin Cuſhion, and a Vermeil Furniture laid him, like the Kings. Then the King Commanded Seats and Furnitures to be brought for all the reſt of the Lords that were preſent, who were placed in this Order: The Elector on the Kings Right Hand; next to whom ſat the Duke of Ormond, the Earl of Scarborough, Monſieur Colbar, and Monſieur Dankelman, the Earl of Portland ſat at the lower end of the Table, juſt oppoſite to the King; The Duke of Norfolk on the Kings Left Hand; next to whom ſat the Count of Denhoff, and then the General Spaen cloſed that ſide of the Table, next to the Earl of Portland: The firſt Health was begun by the King, who whiſper'd it ſoftly to the Elector, and the Elector to the reſt without Naming it; after that the King began ſeveral other Healths, which he carried to the Elector, and the Elector to the reſt without Naming: The King and the Elector were ſerved each of them by a Page, all People being put out of the Room, with Orders given to the Guards, to let no Body enter. The Drums beat and the Trumpets ſounded when the King and the Elector drank; but not for any of the reſt.

The 5th of the ſame Month the King Dined with the Elector of Brandenburgh, who went out into the very ſtreet to receive him, and carried him into a ſpacious Dining Room, where the Table was covered with Eleven Furnitures; and in a ſhort time after the meat was ſerved up. The King ſat in an Elbow Chair; on the Kings Right hand ſat the Lord Chamberlain, and then the Earl of Portland: On the left hand of the Elector ſate the Duke of Ormond, and then the other Lords of the Court, without any diſtinction of Precedence; and Monſieur Colber, performed the Office of Eſq Carver, the Kings Butler was alſo preſent to pour out the Wine. The King was ſerved by one of his Pages, and two of his Gentlemen ſtood behind his Chair. When the King returned, the Elector accompanied him, to the very Boot of his Coach. All theſe Divertiſements of Entertainment, and pleaſure, were intermixed with ſerious Conferences, his Majeſty being unwilling to looſe a moment of Conſultation for the general good of the Confederate Affairs: But all theſe Conferences are kept ſo ſecret, that it is impoſſible to penetrate the knowledge of them; nor ſhall we underſtand the Concluſions but by the Effects that will follow. The King has ſat in the Aſſembly of the States General, in that of the States of Holland, and in the Council of State, to all which Bodies he expreſſed himſelf in moſt Affectionate Terms, which makes it appear, that his new Dignity has no way leſſened the Love and Affection which he had for thoſe Provinces.

On the 1ſt. of March, the Duke of Zell arrived at the Hague; and the Duke of Wolfenbuttel, his Brother, the Tueſday following. The Elector of Bavaria went the ſame day to Amſterdam. On the 6th, the King ſet out for Loo, the Duke of Zell going in the Coach with him, and the Elector of Bavaria follow'd the next day; the day before the Elector of Brandenburgh and the Langrave of Heſſ • went ſtrait home; and the reſt of the Princes parted with Mutual Satisfaction, and my Noble Lord returning for England, I Attended on him.

Sect. IV. Containing Particular Obſervations on the manners, Nature, and Humours, of the Dutch Boars or Peſants; the Nature of their Habitations, and way of living.

THeir Soil (where they Inhabit) is all Fat, though wanting the colour to ſhew it ſo; for indeed it is the buttock of the World, full of Veins and Blood, but no bones in't. 'tis a ſingular place to fat Monkeys in. There are Spiders almoſt as big as ſmall Shrimps, their Gardens being moiſt, abound with them, and were they but venemous, to gather herbs, were to hazard Martyrdom.

You may travel among them though you have not a guide: For you cannot baulk your Road without the hazard of drowning. There is not there any uſe of an Harbinger. Whereſoever Men go, the way is made before them, where (if your Fore-man be ſober,) you may • ravel in ſafety, otherwiſe you muſt have ſtronger Faith than Peter had, elſe you ſink immediately. A ſtarting horſe endangers you to two Deaths at once, breaking of your Neck, and Drowning.

Some things the Bores do here that ſeem wonders. 'Tis ordinary to ſee them fiſh for Fire in Water, which they catch in Nets, and tranſport to Land in their Boots, where they ſpraed it more ſmoothly, than a Mercer doth his Velvet, when he would hook in an Heir upon his coming to Age. Thus lying in a Field, you would think you ſaw a Cantle of green Cheeſe ſpread over with black butter.

Their ordinary Pack-horſes are all of Wood, carying their Bridles in their tails, and their Burdens in their Bellies. When they travel they touch no ground, and when they ſtand ſtill they ride; and are never in danger but when they drink up too much of their way.

The Elements are here at variance, the Subtile overſwaying the Groſſer. The Pire conſumes Earth, and the Air the Water. They burn turffs, and drain their Grounds with Windmills, as if the Cholick were a Remedy for the Stone; and they would prove againſt Philoſophy the Worlds Conflagration to be Natural, even ſhewing thereby that the very Elements of Earth is combuſtable.

The Land that they have, they keep as neatly as a Courtier does his Beard: They have a method in Mowing. 'Tis ſo interven'd with Water and Rivers, that it is impoſſible to make a Common among them.

Though their Country be part of a main land, yet every houſe almoſt, that's Inhabited by the Boars, ſtands in an Iſland. And that though the Boar dwell in it, looks as ſmug as a Lady that hath newly lockt up her Colours, and laid by her Irons. A Gallant Maſquing ſuit ſits not more compleat, than a coat of thatch though many years wearing.

If it ſtand dry 'tis embraced by Vines; But if you find it lower ſeated, 'tis only a cloſe Arbor in a plump of Willows and Alders, pleaſant enough while the Dog-days laſt.

The Bridge to this is a Fir-plank with a Box of ſtones to poiz it withal, which with the leaſt help turns round like the Executioner when he whips off a Head: That when the Maſter is over, ſtands drawn, and then he is in his Caſtle: 'Tis ſure his fear that renders him ſupicious; That he may therefore certainly ſee who enters, you ſhall ever find his window made over his Door.

When you are entred the houſe, the firſt thing you encounter is a Looking-Glaſs; no queſtion but a true Embleme of Politick Hoſpitality; for though it reflect your ſelf in your own Figure, 'tis yet no longer than while you are there before it: When you are gone once, it Flatters the next Comer, without the leaſt remembrance that you e'er were there.

The next are the Veſſels of the Houſe Marſhal'd about the Room like Watch-men; All as neat as if you were in a Citizens Wives Cabbinet; for unleſs it be themſelves, they let none of Gods Creatures loſe any thing of their Native Beauty. The Linings of their Houſes is more Rich than the Out-ſide, not in Hangings, but Pictures, which even the pooreſt of the Boars, are there furniſh'd with: Not a Cobler but has his Toys for Ornament. Were the Knacks of all their Houſes ſet together, there would not be ſuch another Bartholomew Fair in Europe.

Their Beds are no other than Land-Cabins, high enough to need a Ladder, or Stairs: Up once, you are walled in with Wainſcot, and that is good diſcretion to avoid the trouble of making your Will every Night; for once falling out, elſe would break your Neck perfectly. But if you die in it, this Comfort you ſhall leave your Friends, that you died in clean Linnen.

You may ſooner Convert a Jew, than to make an ordinary Dutch-man yeild to Arguments that croſs him. A Old Bawd is eaſiler turn'd Saint, than a Waggoner perſwaded not to bait thrice in nine Miles. And when he doth, his Horſes muſt not ſtir, but have their Manger brought them into the way, where in a top ſweat they eat their Graſs, and drink their Water, and preſently after hurry away: For they ever drive as if they were all the Sons of Nimſhi, and were furiouſly either purſuing an Enemy, or flying him.

They are ſeldom deceiv'd, for they truſt no Body; ſo by Conſequence are better to hold a Fort, than win it; yet they can do both. Truſt them you muſt if you Travel; For to ask a Bill of Particulars, is to purr in a Waſps Neſt, you muſt pay what they ask, as ſure as if it were the Aſſeſsment of a Subſidy.

Complements is an Idleneſs they were never train'd up in, and 'tis their happineſs, that Court Vanities have not ſtole away their minds from Buſineſs.

Sailers among them are as common as Beggars with us. They can drink, rail, ſwear, &c. but examining their uſe, a meſs of their Knaves are worth a Million of outs, for they, in a Boiſterous Rudeneſs, can work, and live, and Toil, whereas ours will rather Laize themſelves to Poverty, and like Cabbages left out in Winter, rot away in the Loathſomeneſs of a Nauſeous Sloth.

Moſt of them are Seamen born, and like Frogs can live both on Land and Water. Not a Country-Urieſter but can handle an Oar, Steer a Boat, raiſe a Maſt, and beat you out in the rougheſt Straits you come in. The Ship ſhe avouches much better for Sleep than a bed.

In their Families they all are equals, and you have no way to know the Maſter and Miſtreſs but by taking them in Bed together. It may be thoſe are they; Otherwiſe Malky can prate as much, laugh as loud, be as bold, and ſit as well as her Miſtreſs.

Their Women would have good Faces if they did not marr them with making. Their Ear-Wyers have ſo nipt in their Cheeks, that you would think ſome Fairy, to do them a Miſchief, had pincht them behind with tongs. Theſe they dreſs, as if they would ſhew you all their wit lay behind, and they needs would cover it. And thus ordered, they have much more for Head than Face.

They love the Engliſh Gentry well; and when Soldiers come over to be billeted among them, they are emulous in chuſing of their gueſt; who fares much the better for being liked by his Hoſteſs.

The habit of the Men is much after the Tarpaullian Faſhion; their Breeches yawning at the Knees, as if they were about to ſwallow his Legs unmercifully.

The Women are far from going naked, for of a whole Woman you can ſee but half a Face: As for her hand, that ſhews her a ſore Labourer; which you ſhall ever find (as it were in Recompence) loaden with Rings to the cracking of her Fingers.

Where the Woman lies in, the Ringle of the door does pennance, and is lapped about with Linnen, either to ſhew you that loud knocking may wake the child, or elſe that for a month the Ring is not to be run at. But if the child be dead, there is thruſt out a Noſegay tied to a ſticks end; perhaps for an Emblem of the Life of Man, which may wither as ſoon as born; or elſe to let you know, that though theſe fade upon their gathering, yet from the ſame ſtock the next year a new ſhoot may ſpring.

In ſhort, they are a race of People diligent rather than Laborious; dull and ſlow of underſtanding, and ſo not dealt with by haſty words, but managed eaſily by ſoft and fair; and yielding to plain Reaſon, if you give them time to underſtand it. They know no other good, but the ſupply of what Nature requires, and the common increaſe of Wealth. They feed moſt upon Herbs, Roots, and Milks; and by that means, I ſuppoſe, neither their ſtrength, nor Vigor, ſeems anſwerable to the ſize, Bulk, of their Bodies.

Sect. V. Of the Nature of the Country in General, its Scituation, &c.

FOur of theſe Provinces. Viz. that of Holland, Zealand, Friezeland, and Gromingven, are ſeated upon the Sea, and make the ſtrength and greatneſs of this State: The other three, with the Conquered Towns in Brabant, Flanders, and Cleve, make only the Out-works or Frontires, ſerving chiefly for ſafety and Defence of theſe.

The Soil of the whole Province of Holland is generally Flat, like the Sea in a calm, and looks as if, after a long contention, between Land and Water, which it ſhould belong to: It had at length been divided between them: For to conſider the great Rivers, and the ſtrange number of Canals that are found in this Province, and do not only lead to every great Town, but almoſt to every Village; and the infinity of Sails that are ſeen every where courſing up and down upon them; One would imagine the Water to have ſhared with the Land; and the People that live in Boats, to hold ſome proportion with thoſe that live in Houſes. And this is one great advantage towards Trade, which is Natural to the Scituation, and not to be attained in any Country, where there is not the ſame level and ſoftneſs of Soil, which makes the cutting of Canals ſo eaſie work, as to be attempted almoſt by every private Man; and one Horſe ſhall draw in a Boat, more than Fifty can do by Cart, whereas Carriage make a great part of the price in all heavy Commodities: And by this eaſie way of Travelling, an induſtrious Man loſes no time from his Buſineſs, for he Writes, or Eats, or Sleeps, while he goes; whereas the time of Labouring or Induſtrious Men, is the greateſt Native Commodity of any Country.

There is, beſides, one very great lake of Freſh-Water ſtill remaining in this Province, by the Name of Harlem Maer, which might as they ſay, be eaſily drained; but the City of Leyden having no other way of refreſhing their Town, or renewing the Water of their Canals, but from this Maer, will never conſent to it.

Another Advantage of their Scituation of Trade, is made by thoſe two great Rivers of the Rhyne, and Maſe, reaching up, and Navigable, ſo mighty a length, into ſo Rich and Populus Countries of the higher and lower Germany; which as it brings down all the Commodities from thoſe parts to the Magazines in Holland, that vent them by their Shipping into all parts of the World, where the Market calls for them; ſo, with ſomething more labour and time, it returns all the Merchandiſe of other Parts, into thoſe Countries, that are ſeated upon theſe Streams,

The Flatneſs of their Land expoſes it to the danger of the Sea, and forces them to infinite charge, in the continual Fences and Repairs of their Banks to oppoſe it; which employ yearly more Men, than all the Corn of the Province of Holland could maintain. They have found the common Sea-weed to be the beſt Material for theſe Digues, which faſtens with a thin Mixture of Earth, yields a little to the force of the Sea, and returns when the Waves give back.

The extream moiſture of the Air, I take to be the Occaſion of the great Neatneſs in their Towns; for without the help of thoſe Cuſtoms, their Country would not be habitable by ſuch Crowds of People, but the Air would corrupt upon every hot ſeaſon, and expoſe the Inhabitants to general and infectious Diſeaſes, which they hardly eſcape three Summers together, eſpecially about Leyden, where the Waters are not ſo eaſily renewed; and for this reaſon, I ſuppoſe, it is, that Leyden is found to be the neateſt and cleaneſt kept of all their Towns.

The ſame moiſture of Air makes all Mettals apt to ruſt, and Wood to mould; which forces them, by continual pains of rubbing and ſcouring, to ſeek a prevention or cure: This makes the brightneſs and cleaneſs that ſeems affected in their Houſes, and is call'd Natural to them, by People who think no further. So the deepneſs of their Soil, and wetneſs of Seaſons, which would render it unpaſſible, forces them not only to exactneſs of paving in their Streets, but to the expence of ſo long Cawſies between many of their Towns, and in their High-ways; As indeed, moſt National Cuſtoms are the Effects of ſome unſeen, or un-obſerved, Natural Cauſes or Neceſſities.

The lowneſs and flatneſs of their Lands, make it in a great meaſure the Richneſs of their Soil, that is eaſily over-flowed every Winter, ſo as the whole Country, at that Seaſon, ſeems to lye under Water, which in Spring, is driven out again by Mills.

Sect. VI. Of the People of Holland, their Manners, Humours and diſpoſitions, &c.

THe People of Holland may be divided into theſe ſeveral Claſſes: The Peſants or Boars, who cultivate the Land. The Marriners or Schippers, who ſupply their Ships. The Merchants, or Traders, who fill their Towns. The Renteeners, or Men that live in all their chief Cities upon the Rents, or Intereſts of Eſtates formerly acquired in their Families: And the Gentlemen, and Officers of their Armies.

The Firſt we have already treated off in a Sect by themſelves, in regard of the giving a more particular Character of their Manners and Humours.

The Second, The Marriners, are a plain People, but of a very rough Hew; whether from the Element they live in, or from their Food, which is generally Fiſh and Corn, and heartier than that of the Boars: They are Surly, and Ill-manner'd, which is miſtaken for Pride; but, I believe, is learnt, as all manners are, by the converſation we uſe. Now theirs lying only among one another, or with Winds and Waves, which are not mov'd nor wrought upon by any Language, or Obſervance; or to be dealt with, but by Pains and by Patience; theſe are all the Qualities, their Marriners have learnt; their Language is little more, than what is of neceſſary uſe to their Buſineſs; their Valour is of a ſize extraordinary even beyond compariſon, except with that of the Engliſh Tarpaulin.

The Merchants and Trades-men, both the Greater and Mechanick, living in Towns that are of great reſort, both by Strangers and Paſſengers of their own, are more Mercurial, (VVit being ſharpned by Commerce and Converſation of Cities, though they are not very inventive, which is the gift of warmer Heads; yet are they great in imitation, and ſo far, many times, as goes beyond the Originals: Of mighty Induſtry, and conſtant Application to the ends they propoſe and purſue. They make uſe of their Skill, and their VVit, to take advantage of other Mens Ignorance and Folly, they deal with: Are great Exacters, where the Law is in their own hands. In other points where they deal with Men that underſtand like themſelves, and are under the reach of Juſtice and Laws, they are the plaineſt and beſt dealers in the World; which ſeems not to grow ſo much from a principle of Conſcience, or Morality, as from a Cuſtom or Habit introduced by the neceſſity of Trade among them, which depends as much upon common honeſty, as War does upon Diſcipline; and without which, all would break; Merchants would turn Pedlars, and Soldiers Thieves.

Thoſe Families which live upon their Patrimonial Eſtates in all the great Cities, are a people differently bred and manner'd from the Traders, though like them in the modeſty of Garb and Habit, and the parſimony of living. Their Youth are generally bred up at Schools, and at the Univerſities of Leyden, or Utretcht, in the common ſtudies of Humane Learning, but chiefly of the civil law, which is that of their Country.

Where theſe Families are Rich, their Youths, after a courſe of their Studies at home, travel for ſome years, as the ſons of our Gentry uſe to do; but their Journeys are chiefly into England and France, not much into Italy, ſeldomer into Spain, nor often into the more Northern-Countries, unleſs in Company or train of their publick Miniſters. The chief end of their Breeding, is, to make them fit for the Service of their Country in the Magiſtracy of their Towns, their Provinces and their State. And of theſe kind of Men are the civil Officers of this Government generally compoſed, being deſcended of Families, who have many times been conſtantly in the Magiſtracy of their Native Towns for many years, and ſome for ſeveral Ages, and not Men of mean or Mechanick Trades, as it is commonly receiv'd among Foreigners, and makes the Subject of commical Jeſts upon their Government. This does not exclude many Merchants or Traders ingroſs from being ſeen in the Offices of their Cities, and ſometimes deputed to their Eſtates; nor ſeveral of their States from turning their Stocks in the management of ſome very beneficial Trade by Servants, and houſes maintained to that purpoſe.

The next Rank among them, is that of their Gentlemen or Nobles, who, in this Province of Holland are very few, moſt of the Families having been extinguiſhed in the long Wars with Spain. But thoſe that remain, are in a manner all imploy'd in the Military or Civil Charges of the Province or State. Theſe are, in their Cuſtoms and Manners, much different from the reſt of the people; and having been bred much abroad, rather effect the Garb of of their Neighbour Courts, than the popular Air of their own Country. They ſtrive to imitate the French in their Meen, their Cloaths, their way of Talk, of Eating, of Gallantry, or Debauchery. They are otherwiſe an Honeſt, Well-natur'd, Friendly, and Gentlemanly ſort of Men, and acquit themſelves generally with Honour and Merit, where their Country employs them.

The Officers of their Armies live after the Cuſtom, and Faſhions of the Gentlemen.

Theſe are ſome Cuſtoms, or Diſpoſitions, that ſeem to run generally through all degrees of Men among them; as great Frugality, and Order, in their Expences. Their common Riches lye in every mans ſpending leſs than he has coming in, be that what it will: Nor does it enter into Mens heads among them, that the common part or courſe of Expence ſhould equal the Revenue; and when this happens, they think at leaſt they have lived that year to no purpoſe; and the train of it diſcredits a man among them, as much as any Vicious or Prodigal Extravagance does in other Countries. This enables every man to bear their extreme Taxes, and makes them leſs ſenſible than they would be in other places, eſpecially in England: For he that lives upon two parts in five of what he has coming in; if he pays two more to the State, he does but part with what he ſhould have laid up, and had no preſent uſe for; whereas, he that ſpends yearly what he receives, if he pays but the fiftieth part to the Publick, it goes from him like that which was neceſſary to buy bread or Clothes for himſelf or his Family.

This makes the Beauty and ſtrength of their Towns, the commodiouſneſs of travelling in their Country by their Canals, Bridges, and Cawſeys; the pleaſantneſs of their Walks, and their Grafts in and near all their Cities; and in ſhort, the Beauty, Convenience, and ſometimes Magnificence of their publick Works, to which every Man pays as willingly, and takes as much pleaſure, and vanity in them, as thoſe of other Countries do in the ſame circumſtances, among the poſſeſſions of their Families or private Inheritance.

To conclude this Section: Holland is a Country, where the Earth is better than the Air, and profit more in Requeſt than Honour; where there is more ſenſe than wit; more good nature than good humour; and more wealth than pleaſure; where a man would chuſe rather to Travel, than to live; ſhall find more things to obſerve than deſire; and more Perſons to eſteem than to love. But the ſame Qualities and Diſpoſitions do not Value a private Man and a State, nor make a converſation agreeable, and a Government great: Nor is it unlikely, that ſome very great King might make but a very ordinary private-Gentleman, and ſome very extraordinary Gentlemen, might be capable of making but a very mean Prince.

Sect. VII. Of their Religion, the Number of Sects among the People, Particularly in Amſterdam.

THe great care of this State has ever been to Favour no particular or curious Inquiſition into the Faith or Religious Principles of any peaceable Man, who came to live under the protection of their Laws, and to ſuffer no Violence or Oppreſſion upon any Mans conſcience, whoſe Opinions broke not out into Expreſſions or Actions of ill conſequence to the State. A free form of Government, either making way for more freedom in Religion; or elſe, having contended ſo far themſelves for Liberty in this point, they thought it the more unreaſonable for them to oppreſs others.

The Roman Catholick Religion was alone excepted from the common protection of their Laws, making men (as the Law-makers believed) worſe Subjects than the reſt, by the acknowledgement of a Forreign, and Superiour Juriſdiction: Yet ſuch has been the care of this State, to give all men eaſe in this point, who ask no more than to ſerve God, and ſave their own Souls, in their own Way and Forms; that what was not provided for by the conſtitutions of their Government, was ſo, in a very great degree, by the connivance of their Officers, who, upon certain conſtant payments from every Family, ſuffer the exerciſe of the Roman Catholick Religion in their ſeveral Juriſdictions, as free and eaſy, tho' not ſo cheap, and ſo avowed, as the reſt. This, I ſuppoſe, has been the reaſon, that tho' thoſe of this profeſſion are very numerous in the Country, among the Peaſants, and conſiderable in the Cities; and not admitted to any publick charges; yet they ſeem to be a ſound piece of the State, and faſt joynted in with the reſt; and have neither given any diſturbance to the Government nor expreſt any Inclinations to a change, or to any Foreign Power.

Of all other Religions, every Man enjoys the free exerciſe in his own Chamber, or his own Houſe, unqueſtioned, and unſpyed: And if the Followers of any Sect grow ſo numerous in any place, that they affect a publick Congregation, and are content to purchaſe a place of Aſſembly, to bear the charge of a Paſtor, or Teacher, and to pay for this Liberty to the Publick; they go and propoſe their deſire to the Magiſtrate of the place where they reſide, who inform themſelves of their Opinions, and Manners of Worſhip; and if they find nothing in either, deſtructive to civil Society, or prejudicial to the Conſtitutions of their State, and content themſelves with the price that is offer'd for the purchaſe of this Liberty, they eaſily allow it; but with the condition, that one or more Commiſſioners ſhall be appointed, who ſhall have free Admiſſion at all their Meetings, ſhall be both the Obſervers and Witneſſes of all that is Acted or Preached among them, and whoſe Teſtimony ſhall be received concerning any thing that paſſes there, to the prejudice of the State; in which caſe, the Laws and Executions are as ſevere as againſt any civil Crimes.

Thus the Jews have their allowed Synagogues in Amſterdam, and Rotterdam; and in the firſt, I think all Sects, that are known among Chriſtians, have there publick Meeting-places: and ſome, whoſe Names are almoſt worn out in other parts, as the Browniſts, Familiſts, and others. The Arminians, though they make a great Name among them, by being rather the diſtinction of a Party in the State, than a Sect in the Church; yet are, in compariſon of others, but few in Number, tho' conſiderable by the Perſons, who are of the better quality, the more learned and intelligent Men; and many of them in the Government. The Anabaptiſts are juſt the contrary, very numerous, but in the Lower Ranks of People, Mechanicks and Seamen, and abound chiefly in North Holland.

The Calviniſts make the Body of the People, and are poſſeſſed of all the publick Churches in the Dominions of the State, as well as of the only Miniſters or Paſtors, who are maintained by the Publick.

It's hardly to be imagined, how all the Violence and Sharpneſs, which Accompanies the differences of Religion in other Countries, ſeems to be appeaſed or ſoftned here, by the general freedom which all men enjoy, either by Allowance or Connivance. I believe the force of Commerce, Alliances, and Acquaintance, ſpreading ſo far as they do in ſmall circuits (ſuch as the Province of Holland) may contribute much to make converſation, and all the Offices of common life, ſo eaſy, among ſo different Opinions, of which ſo many ſeveral perſons are often in every Man's eye; and no man checks or takes offence at Faces, or Cuſtoms, or Ceremonies, he ſees every day, as at thoſe he hears of in places far diſtant, and perhaps by partial relations, and comes to ſee late in his life, and after he has long been poſſeſſed by paſſion or prejudice againſt them. However it is, Religion may poſſibly do more good in other places, but it does leſs hurt here; and wherever the inviſible effects of it are the greateſt and moſt advantageous, I am ſure, the viſible are ſo in this Country, by the continual and undiſturbed civil Peace of their Government, for ſo long a courſe of years; And by ſo mighty an encreaſe of their People, wherein will appear to conſiſt chiefly the vaſt growth of their Trade and Riches, and conſequently the ſtrength and greatneſs of their State.

Sect. VIII. Of their Way of Trade, and Manner of Increaſe in Wealth.

'TIs evident to thoſe, who have read the moſt, and travel'd fartheſt, that no Country can be found either in this preſent Age, or upon Record of any Story, where ſo vaſt a Trade has been managed, as in the narrow compaſs of the four Maritine Provinces of this Common-wealth: Nay it is generally eſteem'd, that they have more Shipping belongs to them, than there does to the far greater part of Europe beſides. Yet they have no Native Commodities towards the Building, or Rigging of the ſmalleſt Veſſel; their Flax, Hemp, Pitch, Wood, and Iron, coming all from a broad, as Wooll does for cloathing their Men, and Corn for feeding them. Nor do I know any thing properly of their own growth, that is conſiderable, either for their own neceſſary uſe, or for Traffick with their Neighbours, beſides Butter, Cheeſe, and Earthen Wares. For Havens, they have not any good upon their whole Coaſt: The beſt are Helverſluys, which has no Trade at all; and Fluſhingue, which has little, in compariſon of other Towns in Holland: But Amſterdam that Triumphs in the ſpoils of Lisbon and Antwerp, (which before Engroſt the greateſt Trade of Europe and the Indias) ſeems to be the moſt incommodious Haven they have, being ſeated upon ſo ſhallow Waters, that ordinary Ships cannot come up to it without the advantage of Tides; nor great ones without unlading. The entrance of the Teſſel, and paſſages over the Zudder-Sea, is more dangerous, than a Voyage from thence to Spain, lying all in blind and narrow channels; ſo that it eaſily appears, that 'tis not an Haven that draws Trade, but Trade that fills an Haven, and brings it in Vogue. Nor has Holland grown rich by any Native Commodities, but by force of Induſtry; by Improvement and Manufacture of all Foreign Growths; by being the general Magazine of Europe, and furniſhing all parts with whatever the Market wants or invites; and by their Seamen, being, as they have properly been called, the common Garriers of the World.

It appears to every Mans eye who hath Travel'd Holland, and obſerv'd the Number and Vicinity of their great and populus Towns and Villages, with the prodigious improvement of almoſt every Spot of ground in the Country, and the great multitudes conſtantly employ'd in their Shipping abroad, and their Boats at home, that no other known Country in the World, of the ſame extent, hold any proportion with this in the Numbers of People; and if that be the great Foundation of Trade, the beſt account that can be given of theirs, will be, by conſidering the cauſes and accidents, that have ſerved to force and invite ſo vaſt a confluence of People into their Country; the civil Wars, Calamities, Perſecutions, Oppreſſions or Diſcontents, that have been ſo fatal to moſt of their Neighbours for ſome time before, as well as ſince their State began.

Sect. IX. Of their Millitary Forces by Sea and Land, with their State Revenues.

THe Force of theſe Provinces is to be meaſured, not by the Number or Diſpoſitions of their Subjects, but by the ſtrength of their Shipping, and ſtanding Troops, which they conſtantly maintain, even in time of peace; and by the Numbers of both, which they have been able to draw into the Field, and to Sea for ſupport of a VVar: By their conſtant Revenue to maintain the firſt; and by the temporary charge, they have been able to furniſh for ſupply of the other.

The ordinary Revenue of this State, conſiſts, either in what is levied in the conquered Towns, and Country of Brabant, Flanders, or the Rhine; which is wholly adminiſtred by the Council of State: Or elſe the ordinary Funds, which the ſeven Provinces provide every Year, according to their ſeveral proportions, upon the petition of the Council of State, and the computation of the charge of the enſuing year, given in by them to the States General. And this Revenue, in times of Peace, commonly amounts to about One and Twenty Millions of Gilders a Year.

Their ſtanding Land Forces in time of Peace, conſiſt of Thirty Thouſand Horſe and Foot.

Their Admiralities, in time of Peace, maintain between Thirty and Forty Men of VVar, employ'd in the ſeveral Convoys of their Merchants Fleets, in a ſquadron of Eight or Ten Ships, to attend the Algerines, and other Corſaires in the Mediterranean; and ſome always lying ready in their Havens for any ſudden accidents or occaſions of the State.