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HOLLAND. Language. xxix
a reasonably liberal scale of gratuities: head-waiter
n; chamber-maid (kamermeisje), 3-5 days
50 c., a week 4 fl.; boots (huisknecht), 20 c. per day. A tip may be given
o to the portier if he have rendered any special services.
The names for the chief articles for the ‘wash’ (wasch) are overhemd,
shirt; nachthemd, night-shirt ; boord, collar; mancheiten, cu kousen, socks;
rhemd, under-vest; onderbroek, drawers; onderrok, petticoat; zakdoek,
handkerchief.
Carés, as in Belgium, are generally frequented in the afternoon
and evening. At midday various plats du jour (p. xv) are ready
at a price of 50-80 c., while in the evening dinner is often provided
for 1-2 fi. The front part of the café, separated by a curtain from
the rear half, is generally left unlighted in the evening, so that the
guests may the better enjoy the view of life in the street.
The German word ‘Kellner’ is used everywhere for ‘waiter’; though
the Dutch usually summon him with the expression ‘Aannemen’ (i.e. ‘take’;
short for ‘take the order’). He expects a fee of 5-10 c. (45-25 c. from diners).
Some of the chief French and German newspapers (couranten) may
generally be seen at the principal cafés, English ones more rarely. The
most widely circulated Liberal papers in Holland are the Nieuwe Rotter-
damsche Courant (which also enjoys a reputation for its articles on art and
science), the Algemeen Handelsblad and Het Nieuws van den Dag of Amater-
dam, and the Vaderland and Nieuwe Courant at The Hague. The leading
Conservative journal is the Standaard of Amsterdam, and the most popular
Clerical sheets are the Zyd and Centrum, both also published at Amsterdam.
The following is
25-50 c. per day for e
Brrr Houses, with German beer and cold viands, are found in
almost every town. The beer sold at cafés is generally a native
imitation of German brews.
The Mrzx Suors (Melk-Salons ; Melk-Inrichting, simpler), which
are found in the larger towns, are recommended; besides milk they
supply tea, coffee, chocolate (‘een kop koffy’, etc.), lemonade, eggs
(zachte eieren, boiled eggs), sandwiches (‘een broodje met ham’,
a roll with ham, ‘met kas’, with cheese), ete. — The Lunoxu Rooms
also may be mentioned.
V. Language.
A slight acquaintance with the Dutch language will contribute
greatly to the instruction and enjoyment afforded by a tour in
Holland. German, however, is very generally understood, and
English and French are spoken at all the best hotels and other prin-
cipal resorts of travellers. Those who have a knowledge of German,
Danish, or Swedish will recognize the identity of the roots of the
great majority of the words in these languages with those of the
Dutch. The language, which may be described as a Lower Frank-
ish dialect, and which existed in a written form as early as the
12th century, developed its individuality more strongly during the
wars of independence of the 17th century, expelling the Frisian
tongue (p. 448) on a great part of the coast and supplanting the
various local dialects. It is expressive and highly cultivated, and
free from the somewhat vague and ungrammatical character which
stamps Flemish as a mere patois. Like other languages of purely
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