The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-19
HOLLAND.

tai Paiacc-Preperations for the Opoaing-
Aspect of tho City-Amersenn R.prcscr,..
tives-Description OF the Palace.
AMSTERDAM, June 20, 1909.
This quaint picturesque old city, which lords it over
the blue waters OF the zuyder Zee is just now no
scene OF an international maritime exposition quits
unique OF its kind, to which the round, rosy faced
broad and Ioval Dutchmen are docking in IN holt
day garbs respondent with silver buttons and gay
ribbons. Strangers, too, rom every point of ths
compass are collecting here TO view the grand col
lection of articles that go TO make up the stock S
trade OF those amphbous people who gam
their livelihood upon the great waters. Tact
turn, sober, steady and dsinclned TO Gre
ate great stir In the world, the good
Dutchmen have not blown the trumpet and
notified the world In high voice, after the manner
OF more fussy and frothy people that they intended
to gather within the walls OF their beautiful Crystal
Palace all productions that play in maritime enter
prses In that salty existence which nalf the ma
ton leads. Yet, Notwithstanding this modest 81
lence, we find here one OF the most beautiful and
complete maritime expositions that have yet been
made in Europe. That OF Havre in France last
year. far behind this about TO open to the pubs
examination, though 1t drew heavily from the storea
OF the monster exposition OF Paris OF 1867 1t IL not
strange that should be So because the Dutch are
an eminently maritime people. 81
From the earliest records the inhabitants OF this
verdant land have been familiar with sea life, and
for centuries they have spent their days gaining
rude subsistence the stormy ocean, OF have waged
an uninterrupted contest with the fierce North Sea.
and finally snatched from its tenacious grasp vas.
area Ofcountrywhich now supports thousands OF PEG
pie. Generation after generation has been compelled
to carry on this struggle, which may be truly called
game for hle in inciement climate, amid the
6ar nj he aat nj nj
the wild waves OF the ever restless ocean. In this
ever existing battle, not only have the bold hardy
Dutchmen held their own, but they have advanced
their lines OF tough piles and embellishments clear
out into the German Ocean and wrested from the
elements the richest aud most valuable lands IN all
Europe, aud have retained their hold against every
opposing force because to slumber for moment, to
relax for single instant their intense watcbings
and labors would be to surrender themselves TO an
enemy as merclless as 1t Is powerful. Men cannot
sleep that line or defences that keeps
out Of the low iands OF Holland the hun
their strength and are conscious of what mighty
forces feel every inch OF their defences. and know
tude which defeats men and the very elements Not
only these keen. active and labOri0us people at
OF tue inland waters, but they equally faml-
liar with foreign seas. The history OF Dutch navi-
gators is the history of discovery and enterprise:
The grand harbOr of New York was for the 1rss
time by civilized people by Dutch navigat0rs. And
we have this day in the good city OF New YORK
plenty OF descendants OF nautical people who were
bearers OF the Dutch from the port OF Amster-
dam. But 1t Is hardly necessary to attempt at this
nate DAY ,us dutch aG are as
nation, and it would be equally as useless to
state alter one has mad glimpse OF the present Elk
the name In It's profane sense-are entirely coupe
tent to organize maritime exposition, every branch
OF which they are as familiar with as an Oneida
county farmer with agricultural implements. Let
US admit then that the Exposition is in good hands,
and then visit 1t to see the thousand ana one arti
cies from frigate's cable to fishing line and
miniature ron-clad TO outrigger delicate and
light an aspen leaf that floats upon the water W
silent pond.
To a stranger the city of Amsterdam itself pos
sesses twice the interest that any exposition can i'm
part. II is sui genets picturesque quaint, unique.
and in every way fresh and delicious. You may
search the world over and fail to find grand old
town that can In any way compare with TINS most
extraordinary, Osare, Ola pOdJ'idd mart OF CON-
merce and home OF arts People call 1t the Venice
OF the North, because some guide book maker has
entitled it. But is different from its sister city
on the soft, sunny Adriatic as the German Ocean,
cold cherries and gloomy, Is from the bright,
laughing, sparkling expanse OF water, made historic
by Grecian and Roman legend and so often fretted
in later days by the stately prows Of doges galleys
one or two points only are there TO be found
not uncommon similarities. Both are built upon
the water, and both may count their canals and
bridges; but beyond this one cannot go. In archl-
lecture, costumes, habits ana manners OF the people,
the character of the water craft that ply the
channes through the city there Is not the slightest
resemblance. Venice Is beautiful, interesting, ro-
mantle and rich with the faded garlands OF the
flowing past. Every palace and every canal is sur
rounded by historic memories ana opulent IN
dreamy legends OF the port, But Venice is a
dead city-its population Is lstless, apathetc
and drowsy. 1t feels tnat 1t it Is not living in
the atmosphere Of the nineteenth century-that
II has nothing to do with the hustle and
press of the present day. Not so in Amsterdam.
The frugal, enterprising Dutchman Knows 10
second tue hour In winch he lives. His quick pene
trating eye looks through and beyond the smoke OF
his favorfe pipe and catches every suggestion
throughout the broad world OF commercial posi-
ND oh nf a nnfr
Gus streets with their quaint LOFTY, tOppng houses
ranged along IKE q company OF groggy grenadiers
at the height OF their Spree do suggest state OF
dapidation and decay that Is not borne out by the
actual state of affairs. II the houses lean threaten
ngly the street or lay back from IT, II terrified
by the long glance down below, it Is not because
they are antique, shabbly constructed or made Up
for the moment. BY their very attitude they sug-
gest the industry, determination and devotion which
are the best elements OF the Dutch. All these long
rows of irregular buildings are built upon plies.
The city itself rests upon these wooden foundations
and every inch OF around within its boundaries has
been reclaimed from the sea- This fact alone attests
the industry and skill OF the Dutch, and no prouder
monument to the assiduity and earnest labors OF q
people exist than the city OF Amsterdam Itself.
But was to say something OF the Maritime Ex-
position. Some years since described to you the
Crystal Palace of Amsterdam, In which the EXpo3l-
ton is held to-day. Then 1t was devoted to magni-
hcent musical entertainments, aud with Admiral
Goldsboro and number OF officers who had
come abroad to represent the American navy, after
to such music Is rarely heard In these days. The
Palace remains en- perTtdneHce Amsterdam would
go mao without IL, as IL often does when lis walls
contain the contributions OF and science and in
dustria efforts of the world.
1t Is good thing to have such light, airy, ele-
giant palace Of glass as that standing the banks
OF the little river Amstel, which divides In almost
equal portions the city OF Amsterdam 1t Is rather
difficult to fiud elsewhere space enough to erect
such magnificent structure this In all the town.
On other toerabiy sold land they have put up such
splendid monuments or art and taste as the Hotel
de Vile, built on no less than 49, ESQ long and mas.
sive piles; the Bourse, the Admiralty and the Ar
senal which little villages in the grand city; the
az Walt 1nlI N
Companies, venerable in years and possessing great
wealth, the Portuguese Jewish synagogue and the old
and new Catholic and Protestant or Reformed Dutch
churches All or these buildings are erected on
piles, and present architectural elements OF great
beauty and taste. The city Is built on ninety
Islands, and is divided by hundred or
more canals, in which the curious old
high popped, blur bowed grotesquely painted craft
from Dutch towns OF unpronounceabe names tie up
and deliver their odd cargoes, into quaintest and
funniest old gaDleended iron houses. 1t is all
very funny, and one lounges along the narrow
with at oil tho