J. Payne Collier.
DE NAVORSCHER.
An idea recorded in 1841, is to be realized in 1851—which promises, in various ways, to be the annus mirabilis!
In an appeal to residents at Paris for a transcript of certain inedited notes on Jean Paul Marana, which are preserved in the bibliothèque royale, I made this remark:—
"If men of letters, of whatever nation, were more disposed to interchange commodities in such a manner, the beneficial effects of it in promoting mutual riches, would soon become visible."—Gent. Mag. XV. 270. N. S.
The appeal was unsuccessful, and I could not but ascribe the failure of it to the want of a convenient channel of communication. A remedy is now provided—thanks to the example set at home, and the enterprising spirit of Mr. Frederik Muller of Amsterdam.
We contemplate Holland as the school of classical and oriental literature, and as the studio of painters and engravers; we admire her delicate Elzevirs and her magnificent folios; we commend her for the establishment of public libraries, made available by printed catalogues; we do justice to the discoveries of her early navigators; but we had scarcely heard of her vernacular literature before the publications of Bosworth, and Bowring.
As M. Van Kampen observes, "La litérature hollandaise est presque inconnue aux étrangers à cause de la langue peu répandue qui lui sert d'organe." Under such circumstances it may be presumed that many a query will now be made, and many a new fact elicited. We may expect, by the means of De Navorscher, the further gratification of rational curiosity, and the improvement of historical and bibliographic literature.
In assuming that some slight credit may be due to one who gives public expression to a novel and plausible idea, it may become me to declare that I renounce all claim to the substantial merit of having devised the means of carrying it into effect.