The Dutch pre-eminent.
The reasons for this pre-eminence.
But though English merchant shipping now stood
higher than ever it had done, the Dutch were still
far in advance of England, as of all other nations.
Their commercial marine had been gradually arriving
at its then high state of prosperity, through
the efforts of many centuries;[1] the commerce of the
north of Europe having, as we have seen, concentrated
itself at a somewhat remote period in the
Low Countries, and more especially in Holland, where
after the destruction of Antwerp, when the States
shook off the yoke of Spain, a fortunate combination
of circumstances, improved by industry and economy,
concurred to render them thus powerful in their
commercial marine. No doubt the freedom of her
government, tended materially to improve these
natural, physical, and adventitious causes. Her
fisheries formed a nursery for her seamen, from
which her fleets could be constantly reinvigorated
with hardy and able sailors. In addition to these
highly favourable circumstances, Holland, during the
long period that other nations of Europe were
engaged in intestine or international wars, contrived
generally to avoid intermingling in their affairs or
quarrels, moreover was often able to adhere to this
policy, partly through her prudence, and, still more
so, as her comparatively small territory inspired
little jealousy in surrounding nations. Like Tyre
of old and Venice in her earlier history, Holland
escaped from kindred causes convulsions which overthrew
more powerful neighbours.
- ↑ Mons. Huet, in his celebrated 'History of the Dutch Trade,' claims for the Dutch the honour of having enjoyed their trade and navigation for a thousand years.
