expressions, as is done in some
of the northern towns of Italy. Addresses on letters are generally written
in French, and there is a small branch of society, as is frequently the
case in small countries, that professes a certain contempt for the
national language, literature, and art, and courts an adopted country
beyond the Meuse and the Rhine. The sympathies, however, are divided. The
elegant class inclines toward France, the learned class toward Germany,
and the mercantile class toward England. The zeal for France grew cold
after the Commune. Against Germany a secret animosity has arisen,
generated by the fear that in her acquisitive tastes she might turn toward
Holland. This feeling still ferments, though it is tempered by community
of interest against clerical Catholicism.

When it is said that the Hague is partly a French city, it must be
understood that this relates to its appearance only; at bottom the
Dutch characteristics predominate. Although it is a rich, elegant, and
gay city, it is not a city of riot and dissipation, full of duels and
scandals. The life is more varied and lively than that found in other
Dutch towns, but not less peaceful. The duels that take place in the
Hague in ten years may be counted on the five fingers of one's hand,
and the aggressor in the few that take place is usually an officer.
Notwithstanding, to show how powerful in Holland is this "ferocious
prejudice that honor dwells on the point of the sword," I recall a
discussion between several Dutchmen which was raised by a question of
mine. When I asked whether public opinion in Holland was hostile to
duels, they answered all together, "Exceedingly hostile." But when I
wanted to know whether a young man in good society who did not accept
a challenge would be universally praised, and would still be treated
and respected as before--whether, in short, he would be supported by
public opinion so that he would not repent his conduct--then they all
began discussing. Some weakly answered, "Yes;" others resolutely,
"No." But the general opinion was on the negative side. Hence I
concluded that although there are few duels in Holland, this does not
arise, as I thought, from a universal and absolute contempt for the
"ferocious prejudice," but rather from the rarity of the cases in
which two citizens allow themselves to be carried by passion to the
point of having recourse to arms; which is a result of nature rather
than of education. In public c