vindicated and restored to his post. Again he was disappointed. The government offered him another desirable position; but, as it was a matter of principle with Dekker, he declined it.
When he saw that it was useless to importune the government further, Dekker made his appeal to the people in "Max Havelaar" (1860). The book was an instant success and made the name of Multatuli famous. Through the perfidy of a supposed friend, however, Dekker failed to get very substantial material rewards from this work. For ten years yet he was struggling with poverty.
The Bohemian life that Dekker was now compelled to live—his family was on the sufferance of friends—estranged him from his wife and strengthened what some might call an unfortunate—or, at least, an untimely—literary friendship that Dekker had formed with a certain Miss Mimi Schepel, of The Hague. The spiritual affinity between the two soon developed a passion that neither could resist. This estimable lady, who afterwards became Dekker's second wife, is still living, and has edited Dekker's letters in nine volumes. Dekker died in February, 1887, at his home in Nieder-Ingelheim, where he had lived for several years.
The "Woutertje Pieterse" story was first published in Dekker's seven volume work entitled "Ideen." Here it is sandwiched in between miscellaneous sketches, essays and treatises, being scattered all the way from Vol. I to Vol. VII. The story falls naturally into two parts, of which the present volume is the first part. The second part, written in a different key, deals with "Walter's Apprenticeship."
A good deal of the flax, or silk, of his Chinaman's pigtail, to use Dekker's form of expression, I have unraveled as being extraneous matter. However, despite these omissions, it is quite possible that some very sensitive person may still find objectionable allusions in the book. If so, I must refer that one to the shade of Multatuli. From his own admission his shoulders were evidently broad; and, no doubt, they will be able to bear the additional strain.
Hubert Evans.
New York City,
November, 1904.
Chapter I
The origin of the story: regarding poetry, incurable love, false hair, and the hero of the story—The dangers of fame and the advantage of the upper shelf—The Chinaman's pigtail, and the collar of humanity 1
Chapter II
An Italian robber on the "Buitensingel" in Amsterdam—The bitter suffering of the virtuous Amalia—Wax candles, the palisades of morality—The cunning of the little Hallemans—The limitations of space 9
Chapter III
The difference between a sugar bowl and a Bible—Leentje's virtues and defects—An unfounded suspicion against Pennewip's honor 18
Chapter IV
The profound silence of Juffrouw Laps—Stoffel's sermon—Walter's fidelity to Glorioso—The last king of Athens—Ruined stomachs and bursted ear-drums 24
Chapter V
How one may become a great man—The cleverness of M'sieu Millaire—Versifying and the art of classifying everything—Hobby-horses 27
Chapter VI
Preparations for a party—The assignment of rôles—The conflict between wishing and being—Some tricks of fancy—The two sawmills—Amalia and the ducks 34
Chapter VII
Poetry and wigs—The vexation and despair of the latter 42
Chapter VIII
A tea-evening, and how it began—Some gaps in the author's knowledge—Stoffel's zoölogical joke—The cause of the last Punic war—And the advantage of smoking 48
Chapter IX
Echoes of the last Punic war—The defeat of Hannibal (Laps) by Scipio (Pennewip) 61
Chapter X
Causes of the tedious peace in Europe, showing the value of a "tea-evening" as a study—Specimens of school-verse concluded—Suitable for society poets and clever children 68
Chapter XI
Report on the condition of the leading characters after the catastrophe—Walter again: a character-study 75
Chapter XII
Leentje as a comforter and questioner—Prince Walter and his dominions 80
Chapter XIII
Convincing proofs of Walter's improvement—His first invitation—A study in love—Paradise and Peri 87
Chapter XIV
Great changes in the Pieterse family—Walter becomes poet-laureate at the court of Juffrouw Laps—The mountains of Asia—The bridge, Glorioso, and love—again 102
Chapter XV
Walter's dream—A swell coachman—Juffrouw Laps's difficulties 117
Chapter XVI
Femke hunts for Walter, and finds him under peculiar circumstances—Her adventures by the way 125
Chapter XVII
The widower's birthday—Klaasje's poem, and how a surprise may involve further surprises 132
Chapter XVIII
Walter's recovery—The doctor's pictures—Amsterdam dramaturgy 138
Chapter XIX
Pastors, sermons, and Juffrouw Laps—Chocolate, timidity, and love—The fire that didn't break out—Some details of religious belief 150
Chapter XX
Our hero calls on the doctor—Some strange happenings—How Walter delivered his present 161
Chapter XXI
Ophelia reaches her destination, and Femke becomes a queen—Walter's first experience "proposing"—Choosing a profession 170
Chapter XXII
Walter enters the real world—The firm Motto, Business & Co.—The
