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HOLLAND Characteristics. xxvii
friends may be apprised of the state of their health without
knocking or ringing. At Haarlem and Enkhuizen the birth of
child is announced by means of a small placard adorned with red
silk and la and the friends of the family are entertained on
th occasions with ‘kandeel’ (a kind of mulled wine) and
‘kaneel-koekjes’ (cinnamon- cakes). Betrothals are celebrated by an
unlimited consumption of ‘bruidsuiker’ (‘bridal sugar, or sweet
cakes) and ‘bruidstranen’ (‘bridal tears’, as the spiced wine is
figuratively called).
The Chimes in the towers of the churches, or other public build-
ings, proclaim the quarters of every hour by playing a few bars
of some popular or operatic air, a pleasing custom, of which how-
ever the effect is destroyed by too frequent repetition.
The ‘Gaper’ (gaper), a painted Turk’s or Moors head, is a
customary sign for druggists’ shops. A large crown, decorated
vith box-leaves and gilding, suspended beneath the Dutch flag,
is an indication that new herrings have arrived in the shop thus
adorned. ‘Zapperij’ (tap-room), or ‘hier verkoopt man sterke
dranher, (strong drinks are sold here), with the addition of ver-
), are the common § fortaverns. ‘Dit huis is te
s to hire, or let) is also frequently obse rved.
foot-warmers, are universally employed by the
female ae Bass of the community, and are seen in great numbers
in the church
The Dutch love of cleanliness sometimes amounts almost to a
monomania. The scrubbing, washing, and polishing which most
houses undergo once every week, externally as well as internally,
are occasionally somewhat subversive of comfort. Spiders appear
to be regarded yen especial ayersion, and vermin is fortunately
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as rare as cobwebs.
Country Housxs (buitenplaatsen, or buitens). Although na-
ture has not bestowed her charms lavishly on Holland, the careful
cultivation of the fields, gardens, and plantations imparts a pictur-
esque and prosperous appearance to the country. In the vicinity
of the larger cities, especially on the Vecht between Utrecht and
Amsterdam, and also at Arnhem, Haarlem, etc. , numerous villas
and country-seats are seen near the roads and canals, frequently
enclosed by carefully kept gardens, parks, and pleasure-grounds.
These paradises of the Dutch gentry and retired merchants, which
are too often built in bad taste, and disfigured with paint and
stucco, usually bear inscriptions characteristic of the sentiments of
their proprietors, and breathing a spirit of repose and comfort.
Thus: ‘Lust en Rust (pleasure and repose), ‘Wel Tevreden’ (well
content), ‘Mijn Genoegen’ (my satisfaction), ‘Mijn Lust en Leven’
(my pleasure and life), ‘Vriendschap en Gexelschap’ (friendship and
sociability), ‘Vreugde bij Vrede’ (joy with peace), ‘Groot Genoeg’
(large enough), ‘Buiten Zorg’ (without care). Many villas rejoice
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