In 1625 a volume of poetry by Constantijn Huygens was published in Dutch, Latin, French and Italian. Huygens – the future secretary to Frederik Hendrik but at this time still learning the finer points of statesmanship while carrying out various diplomatic missions – was a man of many talents. A poet and politician, he was also the stadholder's most valued adviser on artistic matters and a sounding board for the most prominent architects of his day. Huygens's book contained a series of poems extolling the virtues of the towns and villages of Holland. In these verses, full of erudite allusions to antiquity and finely crafted turns of phrase, Huygens sang the praises of what he apparently viewed as an important part of Dutch society: the city. He was, of course, most impressed by Amsterdam, which he presented, like the other cities, personified as a woman. Inevitably, the strangers visiting her were astonished at what they saw:

Huygens praises Haarlem for its artistic life, Hoorn for its fishermen and cheese, and Leiden for withstanding the Spanish siege and for its Reformed university. Clearly, he was deeply impressed by the cities of Holland, expressing both admiration of their achievements and recognition of their diverse characters.

What was true of Holland was also true to some extent of the country as a whole.