The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 2, February, 1862: Devoted To Literature And National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 2, February, 1862: Devoted To Literature And National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Literary men and preachers obtained repose and liberty in that land,
with consideration and honor. Amsterdam alone received sixteen banished
refugee ministers; and more than two hundred spread themselves through
all the towns of the United Provinces. Very eloquent French pastors
filled the pulpits of the Hague, Rotterdam, Leyden, and Harlaem. Their
most brilliant orator was James Saurin. Abbaddié, hearing him for the
first time, exclaimed, 'Is this a man or an angel, who is speaking to
us?' Let us dwell a moment upon the character of this wonderful man. By
the elevation of his thoughts and brilliancy of imagination, his
luminous expositions, purity of style, with vigor of expression, he
produced the most profound impression on the refugees and others who
crowded to hear his varied eloquence. What charmed them most was the
union in his style of Genevese zeal and earnestness with southern ardor,
and especially those solemn prayers, with which he loved to close his
discourses. Saurin displayed in these petitions strains of supplication
which up to this time among the Hollanders had never been observed in
any other preacher.
All the branches of human learning were advanced in Holland by the
Protestant Frenchmen. Here no fetters on genius, no secret censorship or
persecution, existed. The boldest democratic theories, with the most
daring philosophic systems, were freely discussed, and the refugees
promoted this spirit of investigation. They also increased the commerce
and manufactures and agriculture of the Netherlands, and rendered
Amsterdam one of the most famous cities of the world. Like the ancient
city of Tyre, which the prophet named the 'perfection of beauty,' her
merchant princes traded with all islands and nations. Macpherson, in his
Annals of Commerce, estimates the annual loss to France, caused by the
refugees establishing themselves in England and Holland, was not less
than 3,582,000 pounds sterling, or about ninety millions of francs.
Until the close of the eighteenth century, the descendants of the
Huguenots in Holland were united among themselves, by intermarriage and
the bonds of mutual sympathies. But in time a fusion with the Dutch
became inevitable. Then, in Holland, as was the case with England and
Germany, many refugees, abjuring their nationality, changed their French
names into Dutch. The Leblancs called themselves De Witt,--the
Deschamps, Van de Velde,--the Dubois, Van den Bosch,--the Chevaliers,
Ruyter,--the Legrands, De Groot, etc. etc. With the change of names,
Huguenot churches began to disappear, so that out of sixty-two which
could be counted among the seven provinces in 1688, eleven only now
remain,--among them those at Hague, Amsterdam, Leyden, Utrecht,
Rotterdam, and Groningen. These are the last monuments of the Huguenot
emigration to Holland, and a certain number of families preserve some
sentiment of nationality, who consider themselves honored by their
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account