This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... How pleasing to sail up some majestic river, and, discover its source among the small springs that burst up amid the dark shades of the overhanging forest. It is no less delightful to move up the stream of time, and observe the origin of splendid cities. We would not now invoke the aid of the muse as ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... How pleasing to sail up some majestic river, and, discover its source among the small springs that burst up amid the dark shades of the overhanging forest. It is no less delightful to move up the stream of time, and observe the origin of splendid cities. We would not now invoke the aid of the muse as did the Mantuan Bard, to applaud that hero who founded the "Eternal City," but under the dependence of a Higher Power, we would speak of the deeds of those worthy Dutch ancestors, who laid the foundation of the emporium of a Republic, more glorious than that of Rome. To rake up the ashes of past generations for a memento of their deeds--" Hie lobar, hoc opus est."---This is the great labor. Be this our pleasing toil. In our research, we have not resorted to the shadowy realms of imagination for information, but to the pure fountains of truth. In our survey of the past, we shall at least revive the recollections of the intelligent, and throw some light on the path of those who have never been thoroughly over this field of historic research. How various the motives that actuate mankind amid the various pursuits of life. If the Norwegians came to Iceland and America in the middle ages, to avoid the rage of Harold Harfaga--if the Pilgrims came to the bleak shores of New England in 1620 to enjoy liberty of conscience; so the Dutch were induced about the same time to visit the western world for the benefit of commerce. To trade for furs, the first colony came under the auspices of the greatest maritime nation on the globe. Then Holland had 20,000 vessels and 100,000 seamen! And why should not the naval power of that nation be great, who had reared a rampart against the encroachments of the ocean, and who had converted a boundless marsh into...
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