What had been done in those distant regions could seldom be exactly known in Europe.

Every thing was exaggerated and distorted by vague report and by national prejudice.
Here it was the popular belief that the English were always blameless, and that every quarrel was to be ascribed to the avarice and inhumanity of the Dutch.

Lamentable events which had taken place in the Spice Islands were repeatedly brought on our stage.

The Englishmen were all saints and heroes; the Dutchmen all fiends in human shape, lying, robbing, ravishing, murdering, torturing.

The angry passions which these pieces indicated had more than once found vent in war.