THE STORY OF BELGIUM.
The Story of Belgium. By Carlyle Smythe. (Hutchinson and Co. 6s.)—Belgium shares with Holland the glorious traditions of that long, cruel struggle against Spanish bigotry, and its relation never ceases to fascinate the reader. Whether the Belgians did wisely to throw off the Nassau sovereignty is hard to say ; gratitude is rare with nations. We must never forget that the instinct of patriotism has not survived the struggles of the sixteenth century to accept an unpopular government. Mr. Smythe thinks Holland might still have retained Belgium had William I. allowed some measure of Home-rule to the Belgians. Probably it was bound to come. The most densely crowded people in Europe, they are yet prosperous. Colonies would seem a necessity to them, but, as Mr. Smythe points out, they are scarcely distinguishable from the French, and are essentially a home-loving people. They have a great and rich district in Africa, but it does not pay its expenses, a serious thing to a non- colonising race, and the most extravagant optimist would not call the Congo country healthy. Belgium has made her bed and must lie on it. Mr. Smythe writes with ease, and knows how to use the picturesque details of history. There is no elaborate analysis of statecraft—indeed, it is not necessary perhaps—but his summaries and judgments seems to us remarkably sound. Belgian history is by no means finished yet.
Previous page
