اوى.

Should any one, unacquainted with Holland, imagine that there is rather too high a strain of eulogy pervading this Sketch, let him remember that the author writes from personal knowledge and experience, under the influence of that grateful feeling which must ever be excited by a long and liberal enjoyment of every literary facility and friendly assistance that could be afforded by a people, whose intellectual vigour, Christian benevolence, and moral worth, can only be duly appreciated by a residence among them.

ROTTERDAM, Jan. 1st, 1836.

PREFACE.

THE following Sketch was drawn up as part of the Introduction to the DICTIONARY of the ANGLO-SAXON LANGUAGE. A few copies have been separately printed, to meet the wishes of those who are interested in Dutch literature. This Sketch might have been easily extended to a large volume; but, as ample justice has been done to the Dutch language and literature, by the authors named in the note at the foot of the thirtieth page, it is only deemed expedient, at present, to refer those who wish to enter more fully into the subject, and the British public in general, to these respectable authorities.

In every part, reference is made to the source from which the information has been derived. The author, however, to ensure as much correctness as possible, has consulted some of his personal friends, eminent for their knowledge of Dutch. Here he deems it necessary to express his obligation to one of the most celebrated native scholars, Professor Siegenbeek; at the same time that he acknowledges himself greatly indebted to the friendly aid of a foreigner, who justly appreciates the compositive power, and nervous energy of the Dutch language, as well as the importance of their literature.

Should any one, unacquainted with Holland, imagine that there is rather too high a strain of eulogy pervading this Sketch, let him remember that the author writes from personal knowledge and experience, under the influence of that grateful feeling which must ever be excited by a long and liberal enjoyment of every literary facility and friendly assistance that could be afforded by a people, whose intellectual vigour, Christian benevolence, and moral worth, can only be duly appreciated by a residence among them.

ROTTERDAM, Jan. 1st, 1836.

Any remark or correction, before this short Sketch is again committed to the press, would be esteemed a favour.