In the tenth century the old Batavian and later Roman forms have faded away.

Monuments! what are they? the very pyramids have forgotten their builders, or to whom they were dedicated. Deeds, not stones, are the true monuments of the great.

The history of the Franks becomes, therefore, the history of the Netherlands.

The crusades made great improvement in the condition of the serfs.

Thus the whole country was broken into many shreds and patches of sovereignty.

Local self-government…is the life-blood of liberty.

For a century longer, Rome still retains its outward form, but the swarming nations are now in full career.