deep-flowing rivers and canals, scenes so conducive to mental
exercise--the Dutch patriot mourning over the transition of former
national prestige to present condition of decadence presaging complete
national submersion, but at the same time courageously employing his
fertile brain in devising far-reaching projects of remedy over distant
perspectives so as to stem that tide of decadence and declension and to
erect a firm barrier against that menace--to gain (by inspiration from
the titular genius of commerce and craft so conspicuous in that famed
art representation[6] exhibited in his Bourse) a dazzling prize for his
nation by one fell swoop and, so to say, with folded arms, just by
pitting against the English his almost forgotten and long-neglected
clan, the Boer nation, inciting them to usurp Great Britain in South
Africa, Holland sharing the spoils. See here the master mind exulting in
the conception, gestation, and birth of the Afrikaner Bond conspiracy;
note the Hollander patriot's glitter of satisfaction at the vista of
realizing the restoration of Holland to a position excelling its former
glory, of a moribund language revived to significance, and of witnessing
besides a sweet vendetta operated upon England, the old enemy and
despoiler of his nation, to compass the humiliation and disintegration
of the British Empire. Patience, dear reader; preserve judicial
composure. Evidence is following on the heels of the charge.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 5: This is of course not directed against the nation as a
whole. See also notice, page vi.]

[Footnote 6: Oil painting in the Amsterdam Exchange building
representing Mercurius.]