Beets,

Beets, NICOLAUS, Dutch poet and writer, was born at Haarlem, 13th September 1814, and studied theology at Leyden. After serving at Heemstede, near Haarlem, he was in 1854 appointed to the pastorate of Utrecht, and in 1874 to the chair of Thcology there. His poetical works have been collected (4 vols. 1873-81). Through the earlier pieces runs a strong vein of misanthropic sentiment, due probably to Byron, some of whose works he translated into Dutch (2 vols. 1835-37). His prose writings include Camera Obscura (13th ed. 1880), a series of tales and sketches of life and scenery in Holland, published under the pseudonym of 'Hildebrand;' they display keen observation and considerable humour. Besides several critical works, he has published in theology, notes on the life of St Paul (3d ed. 1858), and Stichtelijke Uren (new ed. 8 vols. 1872).