Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-15
DUTCH SCENES AND COSTUMES.

ing Journal This series of letters is full of in
teresting matter, of an useful and authentic cha
racter:
Nobody quits the Hague without visiting sehe-
velln and glad am | thatI did not Schevelin
is small town upon the sea shore, distant
about three miles from the Hague. The road is
paved with fine brick, and its whole length pas
ses through grove affording an avenue in a
straight line. The little town is the fashionable
resort for bathing and enjoying the sea breezes,
but the most important part ofits business is the
supplying fish for the inhabitants of the Hague.
Its Inhabitants almost without exception, retain
the peculiar dress and appearance of several
centuries past. The commerce between the
Hague and Schevelin is principally carried on
by women, who, in their ancient short gowns
and petticoats, with broad old fashioned straw
hats, carry the fish in baskets upon their heads,
and return with provisions and other articles for
their families. Thus, in passing from the Hague
to this curious town, you see the contrast COM
pletely between modern luxury and fashion, and
the simplicity which has known no change for
centuries. But you would be surprised at the
display of massive unornamented gold front
let's combs. and earrings, worn by the people
who you might else suppose adhered so pertna-
ciousy to their by-gone fashion from motives OF
economy. Nothing can be further from the
truth than this last superstition. It's the distinc-
ton of castles; the pretty little Dutch girl is as
proud of her neat dress, antique as it is, and set
offby her massive gold ornaments, as the proud
est dame of the Hague is OF her apparel, in the
latest Partisan mode.
The fishermen Of the Hague are of two class
es; those who carry their fish baskets upon their
heads and those who drive their carts Ofthese
little carts we met scarcely less than an humid
red, all drawn by dogs, which generally seemed
docile and tractable; although we were amused
by one team of banking animals which snarl-
ed and snapped at the whip, as they crouched
under its blow. The conclusion Of this scene
was quite characteristic. There were three
dogs in the harness. One Of them at length in
Dictated disposition to submit, but as soon as
he offered to proceed his two yoke fellows turn
ed upon him, and wreaked upon him their re-
venge for the success of their master, who was
a little boy twelve years old, and rode in the
cart whilst his mother walked at its side
The little village of Schevelin was, in its neat
ness and its wealth, the perfect contrast of all
other fishing towns.
The children all attend school, and more
singular groupy you cannotimagnet hon these pc
tite Misses, dressed in precise imitation OF their
grandmothers! We drove through the town to
the sea shore, where we looked with perfect ds-
tonishment at the results of the immense labor
which had been expended in erecting dykes, OF
such height and solidity as to resemble natural
hills, to resist the flood Of the ocean. There are
on the sea shore royal pavilion and beauti-
full and well furnished hotel.
Having walked upon the beach and collected
some shells as souvenirs We returned 10 the Ha-
que and visited the Royal Museum, which con-
tains several chambers filled with most curious
and interesting collections. Several apartments
are filled with presents from the Emperor oil
China, and other Curiosies from that country,
obtained by merchants in the course Of COM
merce. Other apartments are furnished in
similar manner and with curiosIties similar
ly obtained from Japan. Other apartments con-
tain an extensive collection of paintings; prin-
cipally of the Dutch school. Among the great
est OF the curiosities Oh ! rs was the model
of a Dutch palace mad 1f'olse shell, the
work of a patient citizen Hague who de-
voted To- it % years. We 800 told that the EN-
peror Alexander, who saw it in its progress, d.
rected the builder to proceed and complete II IN
the style indicated by him. and promised to pay
him %, 900 forms for it. 1t was finished accord
ingly but the Emperor thought better OF the
bargain and refused to take it. After several
transfers it was purchased at a greatly reduced
price and deposited in this Museum.
We find travelling in Holland an agreeable
relief from the eXactions to which we were con-
tinualy subject in Eng land The rate OF pas
sage on board the canal boat is about two Sill
vers a mile but wo to the traveller who is so I'M
wise as we are and encumbers himself with bag
gage 1t has hitherto cost more for the porters'
fees from boat to boat, than our own fare from
town to town. The scenery on the bank ofthe
canal, though destitute Of every thing like natu-
raj beauty or variety, is interesting beyond con
ception. The banks are adorned with neat taste.
full Villas and pavillions and tea houses, shaded
by elms and rich orchards. Abundance and
ease seemed to be the lot of the Inhabitants
When we pass little village, people are seen
at almost all hours of the day drinking coffee
and reading news or books, under the shade
trees Every farm house and country seat on
the banks Of the canal had shady avenue,
conducting to tasteful and romantic little pa
Wilton, which, overhangs the canal, andi the
afternoon to be occupied by the ladies of the Ia
mily; between these and the voyagers kindly
salute always takes place. In short, my dear
sir, this, your vader lana, is the first country |
have visited, in which all looks like enjoyment
without luxury, and taste without aftectation:
From Rotterdam to Delft is distance oil a
bout thirteen miles, but this We had to ascertain
by calculation. The canal boat is drawn by
one horse, and goes at the rate Gncludlng stop
page in the way) Of three miles an hour The
journey is made with the greatest punctuality,