untry the literary output is remarkable, and, marked as
it is by scientific and intellectual distinction, deserves to be more
widely read. The Dutch are justly proud of the great part their
forefathers played during the War of Independence, and in the days of
John de Witt and William III. For scientific historical research in the
national archives, and in the publication of documents bearing upon and
illustrating the national annals, Dutch historians can compare
favourably with those of any other country. Special mention should be
made of the labours of Robert Fruin, who may be described as the founder
of a school with many disciples, and whose collected works are a
veritable treasure-house of brilliant historical studies, combining
careful research with acute criticism. Among his many disciples the
names of Dr P.J. Blok and Dr H.T. Colenbrander are perhaps the best
known.

In the department of Biblical criticism there have been in Holland
several writers of European repute, foremost among whom stands the name
of Abraham Kuenen.

Dutch writers of fiction have been and are far more numerous than could
have been expected from the limited number of those able to read their
works. In the second half of the 19th century, J. van Lennep and Mevrouw
Bosboom-Toussaint were the most prolific writers. Both of these were
followers of the Walter Scott tradition, their novels being mainly
patriotic romances based upon episodes illustrating the past history of
the Dutch people. Van Lennep's contributions to literature were,
however, by no means confined to the writing of fiction, as his great
critical edition of Vondel's poetical works testifies. Mevrouw
Bosboom-Toussaint's novels were not only excellent from the literary
point of view, but as reproductions of historical events were most
conscientiously written. Her pictures, for instance, of the difficult
and involved period of Leicester's governor-generalship are admirable.
The writings of Douwes Dekker (under the pseudonym Multatuli) are
noteworthy from the fact that his novel _Max Havelaar_, dealing with
life in Java and setting forth the sufferings of the natives through the
"cultivation system," had a large share in bringing about its abolition.

The 20th century school of Dutch novelists is of a different type from
their predecessors and deals with life and life's problems in every
form. Among the present-day authors of fiction, the foremost place
belongs to Louis Conperus,