No two nations in Europe were more unlike in the essential qualities that form the character of a people than were Holland and Spain; yet there can be little doubt that the Spanish occupation of the Netherlands exerted a powerful influence upon the people of Holland. This was manifested in their manners and customs, as well as in their maritime affairs, which explains the design and
A DUTCH EAST-INDIAMAN, 1630
decoration of the vessels of Holland during the seventeenth century, as well as the luxurious habits and refinement among her people of position and wealth. A love of the arts also was encouraged and developed to the highest degree. It is not difficult to trace the influence of Spain during the sixteenth century upon the construction, rig, and decoration of the ships of Holland, as well as upon those of England and France. In that century Spain was the leading maritime nation
