They would probably have loved each other more, if they had, in some respects, resembled each other less.

They were the two great commercial nations, the two great maritime nations.
In every sea their flags were found together, in the Baltic and in the Mediterranean, in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Straits of Malacca.
Every where the merchant of London and the merchant of Amsterdam were trying to forestall each other and to undersell each other.

In Europe the contest was not sanguinary.

But too often, in barbarous countries, where there was no law but force, the competitors had met, burning with cupidity, burning with animosity, armed for battle, each suspecting the other of hostile designs and each resolved to give the other no advantage.

In such circumstances it is not strange that many violent and cruel acts should have been perpetrated.