Черный тюльпан
The Tulip-fancier and his Neighbour
Inthebeginningoftheyear1672,CorneliusdeWittcametoDortforthreemonths,toliveathisoldfamilymansion;fornotonlywasheborninthatcity,buthisfamilyhadbeenresidentthereforcenturies.
Cornelius,atthatperiod,asWilliamofOrangesaid,begantoenjoythemostperfectunpopularity.Tohisfellowcitizens,thegoodburghersofDort,however,hedidnotappearinthelightofacriminalwhodeservedtobehung.Itistrue,theydidnotparticularlylikehissomewhataustererepublicanism,buttheywereproudofhisvalour;andwhenhemadehisentranceintotheirtown,thecupofhonourwasofferedtohim,readilyenough,inthenameofthecity.
Afterhavingthankedhisfellowcitizens,Corneliusproceededtohisoldpaternalhouse,andgavedirectionsforsomerepairs,whichhewishedtohaveexecutedbeforethearrivalofhiswifeandchildren;andthencehewendedhiswaytothehouseofhisgodson,whoperhapswastheonlypersoninDortasyetunacquaintedwiththepresenceofCorneliusinthetown.
InthesamedegreeasCorneliusdeWitthadexcitedthehatredofthepeoplebysowingthoseevilseedswhicharecalledpoliticalpassions,VanBaerlehadgainedtheaffectionsofhisfellowcitizensbycompletelyshunningthepursuitofpolitics,absorbedashewasinthepeacefulpursuitofcultivatingtulips.
VanBaerlewastrulybelovedbyhisservantsandlabourers;norhadheanyconceptionthattherewasinthisworldamanwhowishedilltoanother.
