[1] One of the characters of a Dutch novel much in vogue some fifty years ago. [↑]
[2] “Dominé”—title of Dutch clergymen. [↑]
[3] Literally, “day of prayers.” [↑]
[4] Driebergen,—a village of country-seats; the summum bonum of a successful Amsterdam trader’s aspirations. [↑]
[5] Dominé Wawelaar and the Holy Willie of the Scottish poet Burns appear to have been brought up in the same school of theology. [↑]
[6] The opium trade is a monopoly of the Dutch Government!! [↑]
CHAPTER X.
Though I spare nobody where principles are concerned, yet I have come to the conclusion that I must act otherwise with Stern than with Fred; and as I foresee that my name—[the firm is Last and Co., but my name is Drystubble—Batavus Drystubble]—will be connected with a book, wherein matters appear that are not in harmony with the respect which every honourable man and broker owes to himself, I conceive it to be my duty to communicate to you how I have endeavoured to bring this young man Stern back to the true path.
I did not speak to him of the Lord, because he is a Lutheran; but I worked on his mind and his honour. See how I did this, and observe how useful a knowledge of mankind is. I heard him say, “auf Ehrenwort,” and asked him what he meant by that?
“Well,” he said, “that I pledge my honour for the truth of what I say.”