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318 Route 39. THE HAGUE. Plein.
Mesdag Museum (p. 336), week-days 10-5 (in March, April, May, Sept., an
Oct. 10-4, Nov.-Feb. 10-3), Sun. and holidays, from 12.30 to 3, 4, or 5; adm. 25¢
Municipal Museum (p. 331), on week-days from 10 (Sun. & holiday
from 1) till 3, 4, or 5, according to the season, free
Museum of Industrial Art (p. 332), on week-days 12-4, adm. 25 c., Sun.
free ; ring.
Museum Meermanno-Westreenianum (p. 333), on the first and third
Thurs. of every month 104, free; tickets at the Museum. No fee,
Palace of the Queen (p. 335), daily, in the absence of the Court, 9-6 (in
winter 9-4). Tickets as for the Huis ten Bosch (p. 317). No fee.
Panorama (p. 335), daily in summer 40-5 (25 c.; Frid. 12 fl.).
Picture Gallery in the Mauritshuis (p. 319), open free daily, Mon. to Sat.
Sept., and Oct. 10-4, Nov.-Feb. 10-3), Sun. and
d
10-5 (in March, April, M
holidays 12.30 to 3, 4, or 5.
Picture Gallery of Baron Steengracht (p. 380), daily, in the absence of
the owner, 10-4; fee 4 1.
Town Hall (p. 334), Thurs. and Sat. 45 30-1.30, free.
Zoological Garden (p. 339), open all day; adm. At
Principal Attractions (two days). First Day. In the morning walk by
the Binnenhof (p. 328), the Vyverberg (p. 330), and through the Korte
Voorhout and the Lange Voorhout (@p-. 332, 333); Picture Gallery in the
Mauritshuis (p. 319). In the afternoon, excursion to Scheveningen (p. 340). —
Second Day. Morning: walk through the N. quarters of the town (p. 33
Mesdag Museum (p. 336) or Municipal Museum (p. 331). Afternoon: Ha
sche Bosch (p. 339).
The Hague (259,012 inhab., 1/; Rom. Cath.), Fr. La Haye
D e/id ge;
Je
I
originally a hunting-resort of the Counts of Holland, whence its Dutch
name’S Graven Hage, S’ Hage, or den Haag (i.e. “the count’s enclosure’,
or “hedge’), and after the middle of the 13th cent. their chief seat
(in place of Haarlem), is now the residence of the Queen of Holland,
the seat of government, and the capital of the province of S. Holland,
From 1593 downwards it was the political capital of the States
General, and in the 17th and 48th centuries it was the centre of
all their most important diplomatic transactions. Owing, however,
to the jealousy of the towns entitled to vote in the assembly of the
states, The Hague was denied a voice in that body, and therefore
continued to be ‘the largest village in Europe’, util Louis Bona-
parte, when King of Holland, conferred on it the privileges ofa
town. It lies in a plain (formerly richly wooded), about 2 M. from
the sea, and it possesses many broad and straight streets, lofty and
substantial houses, spacious and imposing squares, and well-shaded
promenades. Many Dutch artists reside at The Hague. Its com-
merce is insignificant, but it has a considerable industry in the
manufacture of furniture, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ work,
fayence, and similar trades.
a, The Plein, Vyver, and Neighbourhood.
The Plein (Pl. E, 5) is the chief centre of traffic and the
junction of numerous tramway routes (see p. 316). The centre of
the square is adorned with the Statue of William the Silent {p. xxxix),
in bronze, by Royer, erected in 1848, His favourite motto, ‘saevis
tranquillus in undis’, is inscribed on the pedestal. — On the W.
side of the Plein, opposite the Mauritshuis (p. 319), is the Colonial |