Henry Van Dyke was a 19th century American educator, clergyman, and writer. After graduating from the Princeton Theological Seminary he became a professor of literature at Princeton. He later became the U S minister to the Netherlands. While ambassador to the Netherlands he played a major role in helping President Wilson keep the US out of World War I. Van Dyke wrote poetry, essays and hymns. He wrote the words to the hymn Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee. Essays in this work include Little Rivers -- A Leaf of Spearmint -- Ampersand -- A Handful of Heather -- The Ristigouche from a Horse-Yacht -- Alpenrosen and Goat's Milk -- Au Large -- Trout-Fishing in the Traun -- At the Sign of the Balsam Bough -- A Song after Sundown.