Although the Dutch language is now regarded in foreign countries with a
neglect bordering on contempt, and its study, when attended to at all,
generally undertaken as a work of necessity rather than a labour of love, I
have thought it would not be without interest to examine to what extent it
was formerly cultivated (were it even chiefly by Dutchmen) in foreign
lands; to institute a search after the productions of the Dutch mind in the
Dutch language brought forth on foreign soils; in a word, to pass in review
the Dutch books which have been published in other countries during the
period included between the invention of printing and our own days.
It appears to me that such a review would lead to much interesting
research, and would tend not only to illustrate our literature, but also to
clear up many points still obscure in our national, and more especially in
our ecclesiastical, history.
The review which I propose would be limited, in the first instance, to the
formation of an exact and complete list of such _exotic_ works, with the
addition of such notes as I might be able to add. A more experienced hand
may then make use of these materials to form a more perfect treatise on
this portion of our literature.
In execution of this plan I have already compiled a list of names of books
and authors; these have been gathered partly from an examination of the
works themselves, partly from catalogues and other sources where such works
are mentioned. Now, however, as my resources are nearly exhausted, and my
labours by no means complete, I take the liberty to lay my plan before
those who may be disposed to concur with me, those who may be able to
procure me information, those who have the possession or the care of
libraries in which such books are to be found, and of which catalogues have
not been printed; and, for the end I have in view, I invite them all to
help me in the completion of my work. The editors of the _Navorscher_ have
consented to open their columns to contributors. To spare needless trouble,
I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do not include any works
published in _Belgium_, or in the colonies now or formerly in our
possession.