LEYDEN, REFUGE OF LIBERTY

Holland never erected a Statue of Liberty at the entrance to its principal city, but long before the American "land of the free and home of the brave," became important on the map, Holland was the European "Land of Liberty." At Leyden, on the so-called old Rhine, you can renew your acquaintance with the shrines most notable in the country's contribution to freedom. Here John Robinson kept the light of religious liberty burning and induced his parish of "Pilgrim Fathers" to embark on the Mayflower in 1620. Here is the "High School" started by William, prince of Orange in 1575, which in a few years became the most famous University in Europe. Leyden is the only place on earth that ever refused to be exempt from taxation. When its prince in 1574 wanted to reward the inhabitants for their gallant conduct in a siege, he offered exemption from taxes or a University. They chose a University.