ust
have existed at that time. Many disputes never ascertain the point
intended, yet clear up something else that is equally useful.
-=-

[end of page #45]

Baltic was very different from that which had flourished in ancient
times on those of the Mediterranean Sea.

In this new order of things, Flanders, for its fertility, might be
compared to Egypt, and Holland to Phoenicia, from its want of
territory: but clothing of a more substantial sort, and conveniences and
pleasures of a different nature being necessary, industry took a
different turn. Besides this, the nature of the governments, where men
were more nearly upon an equality, made it necessary to provide for
their wants in a very different way.

Instead of building pyramids for the tombs of kings, industry was
employed in procuring comfort for those who inhabited the country;
and instead of the greatest art being employed on the fabrication of
fine linen, and dying of purple, making vessels of gold and silver, and
every thing for the use of courts, the art of making warm clothing of
wool, and of fishing and salting fish, occupied the attention of this
new race of men.

The Flemish had three sources of wealth at one time: they possessed
the depots of Indian produce, and dispersed it over the north of
Europe; they were the first who excelled in the art of weaving, and in
that of curing fish.

The towns of Flanders and Brabant were associated in the Hanseatic
League, and continued rising from the twelfth to the middle of the
sixteenth century, when several circumstances operated in bringing on
their decline.

The Hanseatic association was one arising from the circumstances of
the times and from necessity. It was an artificial connection or
alliance, where towns, subject to different governments, acted as
independent states, entering into a society which treated on a footing
of equality with kings, and made war and peace like any single
sovereign. It was not to be expected that such a sort of alliance could
greatly outlive the cause of its formation. But neither did the
destruction of the league or federation, of necessity, draw along with it
that of the towns of which it was composed. We shall see, however,
that the general prosperity, and that of the individual members of the
league, disappeared for the most part nearly together. [end of page
#46]

The Dutch were far inferior to the Flemings for natural advantages;
but they acted under the influence of