BEFORE THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
of the American Revolution, the Dutch Republic as a political power played throughout the eighteenth century little or no part in shaping the destiny of Europe. But her merchants and her bankers, her florists, and her seamen made her everywhere respected for her wealth and her trade. Dutch comfort and Dutch cleanliness were proverbial. Dutch freedom was the envy of the downtrodden in every part of Europe.
Between Holland and France were the Catholic Low Countries, which we know as Belgium. These provinces had long been under Spanish rule, but at the close of the War of the Spanish Succession they had fallen to Austria. They were governed by an Austrian viceroy and, particularly during the reign of Maria Theresa, enjoyed a measure of prosperity. But the grasping policy of Holland and of England blocked the navigation of the Scheldt and prevented commercial expansion. From the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht to the French Revolution Holland overshadowed the Austrian Netherlands and prevented them from seriously rivaling her commercial supremacy.
We have now completed our survey of the portions of Europe that particularly concern us. With Denmark and Norway and Sweden and Russia and Poland and Turkey and Greece the majority of tourists had little to do, and our plan does not permit us to follow the steps of the occasional travelers. To Spain we must, however, give a word. In the eighteenth century Spain was in full decadence. An intolerant religious policy had rooted out and banished the most prosperous elements in the population of Spain. Vast wealth was in the hands of the Church, but poverty and superstition pervaded the country. Travel was attended with great discomfort. Roads were few and in bad repair. Inns throughout the country were of the most primitive character. Spanish misgovernment, moreover, had left its mark on more than one part of Europe. Spanish princes still held portions of Italy, and Spanish possessions were scattered all over the world; but the energy
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