HOLLAND, the largest of the seven United Provinces, divided into South and North Holland, the latter of which is also called West Friesland, is bounded on the west by the German ocean, or North sea; to the
Holland, the east by the Zuyder-see, the province of Utrecht, and part of Guelderland; to the south by Dutch Brabant and Zealand; and to the north by the Zuyder-see. Its greatest extent from north to south including the island of Texel, is about 90 English miles; but from east to west its extent varies from 40 to 25. To defend it against the sea, dykes have been erected at an immense expence, and innumerable canals cut to drain it, as being naturally very low and marshy. Some parts of the province are very fruitful in corn; but the greater part consists of rich pastures, wherein are kept large herds of kine, which supply them with incredible quantities of butter and cheese. Of the latter, that of Edam, in North Holland, is highly esteemed. The many rivers and canals that intersect the province are of great advantage to its commerce, but contribute to render the air foggy and unwholesome. There is a communication by water betwixt almost every town and village. Towards the middle also of the province are great numbers of turf-pits. The number of the inhabitants in 1817 was 748,000. In point of cleanliness no country surpasses, and few come up to it, especially in North Holland, and that even in the villages. From the counts of Holland this province devolved, in 1436, to the dukes of Burgundy, and from them to the house of Austria, along with the other provinces. By the ancient constitution of the country the states of Holland and West Friesland were composed of the nobility and deputies of the towns; of the latter there were 18 that sent deputies to the assembly of the states, which was held at the Hague. The grand pensionary was a person of great dignity and weight in this assembly, and his office required extraordinary abilities. There were also two councils composed of deputies, one for South and another for North Holland, who had the cognizance of the revenue and military affairs. The whole province sent one deputy from among the noblesse to the states-general, who took precedence of all others, together with three or four more. There were two supreme courts of judicature for Holland and Zealand; viz. the great council of Holland and Zealand, and the hof or court of Holland. To these appeals lay from the towns; but the causes of noblemen came before them in the first instance. With respect to the ecclesiastical government, there is a synod held annually both in South and North Holland, of which the former contains eleven classes, and the latter six; and the ministers of both together amount to 331. In the whole province are 37 towns, eight boroughs, and 400 villages.
Soon after the commencement of the French revolution, this ill-fated country became the theatre of war, the old government was subverted, and the stadtholder having fled to England for safety, the republican rulers of France imposed a political constitution upon it according to their pleasure. The infatuated people of Holland received their conquerors with apparent, perhaps with real satisfaction at first; but experience fatally taught them the pernicious nature of the change. As the government of France changed from directorial to consular, and from consular to imperial, that of Holland also received various modifications, till at last it was converted into a monarchy under one of Bonaparte's brothers, who afterwards withdrew from his kingdom, and then Holland was annexed.
ed to France. In this state it remained, till the successes of the allies in 1813 restored the prince of Orange. For a copious detail of the political vicissitudes which Holland has experienced in consequence of the French revolution, see the article FRANCE; and for the history, see UNITED PROVINCES.