Four Small Nations of Europe

Abstract

The old, though little, nations of Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, and Portugal have acquired through the ages a distinctive character in ideals, outlook, government, manners, and temperamenta quality that may occasionally suggest a larger neighbor nation, but is too individual and delightfully original to be lost in any assembly. They preserve their charm for the traveler and theirdignity among the great powers, as well as the loving allegiance of their people. While they have not tried to determine the course of European politics, they have often unconsciously led the way for other nations, and served as the decisive battlegrounds or the allies that made history for their greater neighbors.