The two statements taken together reveal Lecky to be a man without prejudice. When the Irish tell the truth about the Dutch the millennium approaches.
Should the quibbler arise and say that the Dutch are not Germans, I will reply, true, but the Germans are Dutch—at least they are of Dutch descent.
The Germans are great simply because they have the homely and indispensable virtues of prudence, patience and industry.
There is no copyright on these qualities. God can do many things, but so far, He has never been able to make a strong race of people and leave these ingredients out of the formula.
As a nation, Holland first developed them so that they became the characteristic of the whole people.
It was the slow, steady stream of Hollanders pushing southward that civilized Germany.
Music as a science was born in Holland. The grandfather of Beethoven was a Dutchman.
Gutenberg's forebears were from Holland.
And when the Hollanders had gone clear through Germany, and then traversed Italy, and came back home by way of Venice, they struck the rock of spiritual resources and the waters gushed forth.
Since Rembrandt carried portraiture to the point of perfection, two hundred and fifty years ago, Holland has been a land of artists—and it is so even unto this day.