



Produced by Andrea Ball & Marc D'Hooghe at http://www.freeliterature.org




The Rise of the Dutch Kingdom

1795-1813


A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT

OF THE MODERN KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

BY

Hendrik Willem van Loon,


ILLUSTRATED


GARDEN CITY  NEW YORK

DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY

1915

[Illustration: WILLIAM I]




DEDICATION


This little book, telling the story of our national usurpation by a
foreign enemy during the beginning of the nineteenth century, appears at
a moment when our nearest neighbours are suffering the same fate which
befell us more than a hundred years ago.

I dedicate my work to the five soldiers of the Belgian army who saved my
life near Waerloos.

I hope that their grandchildren may read a story of national revival
which will be as complete and happy as that of our own land.

Brussels, Belgium,

Christmas night, 1914.




APOLOGIA


And for