The English language is broken Dutch, mixed with French and British terms and words, but with a lighter pronunciation.

They do not speak from the chest, like the Germans, but prattle only with the tongue." Here are few statistical facts, but certainly it is curious to see how many national traits thus photographed by a contemporary, have quite vanished, and have been exchanged for their very opposites.

Certainly the last physiological criticism of all would indicate as great a national metamorphosis, during the last three centuries, as is offered by many other of the writer's observations.
"With regard to the women," continues the same authority, "they are entirely in the power of the men, except in matters of life and death, yet they are not kept so closely and strictly as in Spain and elsewhere.
They are not locked up, but have free management of their household, like the Netherlanders and their other neighbours.

They are gay in their clothing, taking well their ease, leaving house-work to the servant-maids, and are fond of sitting, finely-dressed, before their doors to see the passers-by and to be seen of them.

In all banquets and dinner-parties they have the most honour, sitting at the upper end of the board, and being served first.
"Their time is spent in riding, lounging, card-playing, and making merry with their gossips at child-bearings, christenings, churchings, and buryings; and all this conduct the men wink at, because such are the customs of the land.