Enterprise, led on and accompanied by science, was already planning the boldest flights into the unknown yet made by mankind, and it will soon be necessary to direct attention to those famous arctic voyages, made by Hollanders in pursuit of the north-west passage to Cathay, in which as much heroism, audacity, and scientific intelligence were displayed as in later times have made so many men belonging to both branches of the Anglo-Saxon race illustrious.

A people, engaged in perennial conflict with a martial and sacerdotal despotism the most powerful in the world, could yet spare enough from its superfluous energies to confront the dangers of the polar oceans, and to bring back treasures of science to enrich the world.
Such was the spirit of freedom.

Inspired by its blessed influence this vigorous and inventive little commonwealth triumphed over all human, all physical obstacles in its path.

It organised armies on new principles to drive the most famous legions of history from its soil.

It built navies to help rescue, at critical moments, the cause of England, of Protestantism, of civil liberty, and even of French nationality.