Since 1830 Holland has taken a more prominent position in European thought than she could claim since the end of the 17th century. In scientific and religious literature her men of letters have shown themselves cognizant of the newest shades of opinion, and have freely ventilated their ideas. The language has resisted the pressure of German from the outside, and from within has broken through its 1 jng stagnation and enriched itself, as a medium for literary expression, with a multitude of fresh and colloquial forms. At the same time, no very great genius has arisen in Holland in any branch of literature, and all that a foreign critic can do in such space as is here at his command is to chronicle the names of a few of the most prominent writers of the past and present generations. The vast labours of Jakobus van Lenrep (1802-68) consist of innumerable translations, historical novels, and national romances, which have gained for him the title of the leader of the Dutch romantic school. Reinier Cornelis Bakhuizen van den Brink (1810-65) was the chief critic of the romantic movement, and Everhard Johannes Potgieter (1808-75) its mystical philosopher and esoteric lyrical poet. The genius and influence of Potgieter were very considerable, but they were exceeded by the gifts of Nicolaes Beets, author of the famous Camera Obscnra (1836), a master piece of humour and character. Johannes Pieter Hasebroek, who has been called the Dutch Charles Lamb, wrote in 1840 an admirable collection of essftys entitled Tmth and Dreams. A poet of unusual power and promise was lost in the early death of Pieter Augustus de Genestet (1830- 1861). Criticism has been represented by W. J. A. Jonck- bloet, C. Busken Huet, and Jan ten Brink. With Isaac de Costa (1798-1860), W. J. van Zeggelen, and J. J. L. Ten Kate, the domestic tendency of Cats and Bilderdijk has overpowered the influence of romanticism. An independent writer of great power and charm both in prose and verse is C. Vosmaer, author of a life of Rembrandt, and of a translation of the Iliad into Dutch hexameters. E. Douwos Dekker, in his novel of Max Havelaar, and Marcellus Emants, in his poem of Lilith, have displayed talents of a very modern and cosmopolitan order, but it yet- remains to be seen whether they have sufficient power to sustain their promise. Flemish literature has again come into being since the independence of Belgium, and has produced two writers of very remarkable talent, the popular poet Karel Ledeganck (1805-47), and the still more popular novelist Hendrik Conscience. But the general use of the French language, although Flemish exercises are encouraged by the Govern ment, has prevented any considerable cultivation of Flemish by modern writers of ambition.
Authorities.—Dr W. J. A. Jonckbloct, Geschicdenis dcr Ncdcr- landsche Lettcrkunde, 2d cd., 1873; Dr .T. ten Brink, Kleins, Geschicdenis dcr Ncderlandschcn Lcttcrcn, Haarlem, 1877; Dr J. van Vloten, Schcts van de. Geschicdenis dcr Ncderlandschcn Lcttcrcn, 1879.
HOLLAND, or Holland and West Friesland, was the second province of the republic of the United Netherlands, and consisted of the old countship of Holland, with the addition of the lordship of Voorne. In 1801, after the erection of the Batavian republic, very nearly the same area was included in the "department" of Holland; but when in June 1806 Holland became the name of the new king dom, it ceased to be applied to any of the administrative divisions. On the establishment of the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1814 the province of Holland was restored, with its ancient limits only slightly modified. A few further alterations were made in 1815, 1819, and 1820. It was the only province that had two governors, one for the north and another for the south, and the provincial states met alternately at the Hague and at Haarlem. In 1840 this bipartite arrangement was carried to its logical conclusion by the erection of two distinct provinces called respectively North and South Holland.
1. North Holland (Noordholland), the fourth province of the kingdom of the Netherlands, lies between the German Ocean and the Zuyder Zee, and on the land side is bounded by the provinces of South Holland and Utrecht. The area which in 1855 was increased by the commune of Haarlemmermeer, and in 1864 was diminished by the larger part of Leimuiden is estimated at 744,554 acres, ex clusive of the newly won lands of the Y. The amount of available ground has been augmented by the draining not only of the Haarlemmermeer but also of more than a score of lesser lakes. In 1840 the population was returned at 443,334, in 1850 at 477,079, in 1860 at 521,125, and in 1875 at 620,890. In 1870, when the total was 577,436, there were 382,607 Protestants, 157,971 Roman Catholics, 2723 Old Catholics, and 32,953 Jews. Amsterdam is the largest city, with a population in 1876 of 296,200 ; and next in order as communes follow Haarlem, 34.797; Helder, 22,030; Haarlemmermeer, 13,171; Zaandam, 12,772; Alk- maar, 12,245; Nieuweramstel, 11,502; Hoorn, 9763; Hilversum, 7805 ; Texel, 6383 ; Enkhuizen, 5560 ; and Edam, 5361. There are besides 36 communes with more than 2000 inhabitants.
2. South Holland (Zuidholland) is the third province of the kingdom of the Netherlands. On the W. it is bounded by the German Ocean, on the N. by North Holland, on the E. by U trecht and Guelderland, on the S.E. by North Brabant, and on the S. by Zealand. The area is estimated at 823,851 acres. In 1850 the popula tion was returned at 564,000, in 1860 at 617,699, and in 1876 at 748,162. In 1870, when the total was 688,254, there were 508,132 Protestants, 166,219 Roman Catholics, and 12,152 Jews. The largest city is Rotterdam, with a population in 1876 of 136,230; and next in order as com munes follow the Hague, 104,095 ; Leyden, 41,298; Dort. 26,576; Delft, 24,511; Schiedam, 21,880; Gouda, 17,070; Kralingen, 10,313; Delfshaven, 10,042; and Gorinchem, 9301. There are besides 74 communes with more than 2000 inhabitants.
