AMERONGEN UTRECHT to AMSTERDAM Museum Stadt Huis BUYKSLOET Arnheim, the capital of Guelderland, is pleasingly sitnated. Before the Rhine en. ters the Netherlands, it loses much of its characteristic beauty, dwindling into a commonplace stream. From Arnheim proceed to Amerongen, thence to Utrecht, one of the most beautiful cities in Holland; the view from the church spire being one of the most extensive in Europe. Utrecht to Loenem, thence to Amsterdam. The Venice of Holland is built on the confluence of the Amstel and the Y, being the triumph of perseverance and ingenuity in rearing a noble city on a morass which consisted but of a few fisherman's huts, when many cities of Flanders had already attained celebrity. The lover of art will find much in Amsterdam to delight him. The Museum boasts of Rembrandt's huge work, "The Night Watch," and Vanderhelst's equally stupendous production of the “ Treaty of Munster." A portrait of Peter the Great is also worthy of remark. The Royal Palace in the Damn is an enormous pile, and the interior is interesting. The Grand Hall is one of the largest in Europe. Three days may be spent well in Amsterdam, although it would trench upon the ten days allowed. The Bible Hotel, Warmõe's Straat, was, when the author was there, a very comfortable Hotel, the master speaking English. By crossing the Y to Buyksloet, you hire a carriage to take you to Broek, a beautiful specimen of a Dutch village. Returning The Netherlands: Amsterdam-Leyden, etc. 55 to Buyksloet, thence to Sardam, where Peter the Great lived and worked. His cabin is still preserved, with a book full of autographs. From Amsterdam proceed by canal to Haarlem, in the treckshuyt. Haarlem is one of the principal towns in Holland. It is celebrated for its noble defence against the Spaniards, in 1572, when after the most fearful scenes of carnage and famine, it was forced to surrender to its ruthless foes, and fifty-seven of the best hearts in Holland shed their life-blood to purchase a remission of the sanguinary decree of extirpation. St. Bavon, the largest church in Holland, contains the celebrated organ-the largest in Europe. Ths treckshuvt will again take you on your journey at a gliding pace of three miles an hour, and land you at Leyden, another celebrated town, built on the old bed of the Rhine. The Rapenburg, a noble street, with a canal in the centre, was the scene of the frightful explosion in 1807. The Town Hall should be seen it contains pictures and curiosities; amongst the former, two to be esteemed by every patriot of any country, representing the Siege and Relief of Leyden. The University has an enviable renown, if not a brilliant one. By all means visit the Castle of Altenberg, and never mind the waterspouts it is perhaps the only specimen of a mound in Holland, except the embankments, which will always astonish and SAARDAM Peter's Hut HAARLEM Church LEYDEN Castle of Altenberg Catwyk In Dutch S'GRAVENHAGE, in French LA HAYE, in English THE HAGUE. Palace in the Wood SCHEVELING or SCHEVENINGEN ROTTERDAM often frighten the timid traveller. You will hear a roaring" as of mighty waters," and on ascending the barrier, you will discover, indeed, the wide sea to have been above you, as you were before down on Dutch land. If you would prize human intellect and determination, visit the works of Catwyk, the noble preserver of the noble Rhine from a sandy grave. The plans were pronounced impossible; but as great nations are ever stimulated to the impossibilities of weak ones, the Dutch overcame all that "could not be," and made a mighty thing out of discouragements and dangers. The Canal will take you to the Hague, the seat of Dutch royalty, and a very agreeable town, although at times the canals are even more annoying than dusty streets. The Royal Museum is well worth the traveller's attention as it contains a fine collection of pictures, amongst others the celebrated Bull, the size of life, by Paul Potter; and a small picture of Simeon and the Infant Jesus by Rembrandt. Walk through the Wood, a very agreeable promenade to the Palace, where the painted Hall offers specimens of the Dutch and Flemish historic painters. Take a morning trip to Scheveningen, about two miles distant, a village on the sea-shore, inhabited by fishermen, remarkable as the spot where William I. landed in Holland. Do not get tired of canals yet, for you must even go by one to Rotterdam through DELFT ROTTERDAM 10 LONDON or to ANTWERPEN Cathedral Museum Ruben's House BRUSSELS and GHENT Rotterdam-Antwerp. Delft, where you will have no time to stop. traveller will be struck with the size of Antwerp is well worthy a visit. It has And now, gentle traveller, leaving you to return either by Brussels or Ghent, I humbly take my leave. 57 |