In case of any reader questioning whether Dutchmen in the seventeenth century could advocate free trade, I mention that the principle has never been more distinctly recognized than at a remoter date than I have fixed, by countries which, like Holland, had little to export, and depended for their prosperity on freedom of importation. Every restriction imposed by the jealousy of those from whom they derived their imports was an unanswerable argument to them in favour of perfect liberty of exchange. As their herrings and butter were universally acknowledged to be the best herrings and butter in existence, and yet were not enough for the perfect comfort of the Dutch, the Dutch could not resist the conclusion, that the less difficulty there was in furnishing their neighbours with their incomparable herrings and butter, in return for what those neighbours had to offer, the better for both parties. The Dutch of the seventeenth century were therefore naturally enlightened advocates of the free trade.--Whether their light has from that time spread among their neighbours equally and perpetually, my next Number will show. CONTENTS. Chap. Page 1. Mourning 1 2. An Excursion 21 3. Family Arrangements 42 4. Wise Men at Supper 56 5. Going Northwards 81 6. News from Home 90 7. A Night's Probation 108 8. News at Home 124 9. Close of a brief Story 132 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MESSRS. VANDERPUT & SNOEK. ----------------------- CHAPTER I. MOURNING.