xxxvi Character

Towns. Most
are intersected in

icakeeeeenicteiaetisbdheeiace saeaihie celal

   

istics. HOLLAND,
X. Dutch Characteristics.

of the Dutch towns, as well as the open country,
every direction by canals (grachten), which are

generally enlivened with numerous barges. The different quarters

of the towns are
bruggen) or swing:

connected by means of drawbridges (ophaal-
-bridges (draaibruggen). ‘The roads and streets

skirting the canals are usually planted with trees, which render

them shady and p

icturesque.

The Dutch houses are generally narrow, and constructed of brick
with the joints pointed white. In the larger towns they are some-
times six stories in height. Most are ‘self-contained’ houses, the

custom of living
Belgium. The be
serve for hoisting
ZeESe woth
dimensions.

The Chimes in
ings, proclaim tl
of some popular o

The ‘gaper (

  

customary sign for drug

with box-leaves a

in ‘flats’ or tenement-houses being as rare as in
ams occasionally seen projecting from the gables
up goods to the lofts, which are used as maga-

windows of the groundfloor are generally of ample

the towers of the churches, or other public build-
1€ quarters of every hour by playing a few bars
I operatic air,

gaper), a painted Turk’s or Moor’s head, is a
iggists’ shops. A large crown, decorated
nd gilding, suspended beneath the Dutch flag,

  

is an indication that fresh herrings have arrived in the shop thus

adorned. ‘Tapp
dranken’ (strong
gunning (licensed
huur (this house
The Dutch lo
monomania. The
which most house
internally, are oc¢

erij (tap-room), or ‘hier verkoopt men sterke

drinks are sold here), with the addition of ver-
), are the common signs for taverns. ‘Dit huis is te
is to hire, or let) is also frequently observed.

ve of cleanliness sometimes amounts almost to a
scrubbing, washing, and polishing (schoonmaken)
Ss undergo once every week, externally as well as
casionally somewhat subversive of comfort.

 

Country Hovusrs (buitenplaatsen, or buitens). Although na-

ture has not besto
cultivation of the
esque and prospe
of the larger cities
Utrecht, on the V

wed her charms lavishly on Holland, the careful
fields, gardens, and plantations imparts a pictur-
rous appearance to the country. In the vicinity
» especially between Amhem, Wageningen, and
Fecht between Utrecht and Amsterdam, between

Hilversum and Baarn, between Leyden and The Hague, and at
Haarlem, numerous villas and country-seats are seen near the roads

and canals, frequ
and pleasure-grou
retired merchants

ently enclosed by carefully kept gardens, parks,
nds. These paradises of the Dutch gentry and
usually bear inscriptions characteristic of the

sentiments of their proprietors, and breathing a spirit of repose and

comfort. Thus: ‘L
(well content), ‘

Leven’ (my pleasure and life), ‘Vriendschap en Gezelschap’ (friend-

ust en Rust (pleasure and repose), ‘ Wel Tevreden’
Myn Genoegen’ (my satisfaction), ‘Myn Lust en