The New York herald., 1869-07-05
HOLLAND.
The Shakespeare of Holland--"Gy sbrecbt Van
Amstep' S-vandel Park-How Sund ~ II OBJ
served~-The Capes-A Dutch Gala Day-Ca-
nal Ihle--What May be Seen mt the Hague.

Amstep'1-vandel Park-HOw Sund ~ II OBJ
served--I'e Capes-A Dutch Gala Day-Ca-
nal Ihie--What May be Seen MT the Hague.
THE HAGUE, June 1s, 1869.
The Dutch are no great play ygoers, but in theory
they honor The drama more than either the English
or the Americans. Their Shakespeare is JoosJ van
Vandel, who 10urshed 10 the seventeenth century,
and IL ID point OF principle at the Hague and at
Amsterdam to act his most celebrated play, which
Is enutied "Gysbrecht van Amstel,n at the COM
mencement Of eyery year. The gentleman, whose
name appears IN the title, was a semmy thlcal hero
Of Amsterdam, and the poet has conceived him even
little further nom history than he stood when
trusted ~ unasssted tradition. would not recon-
mend any "adaptern TO set about translation OF
"Gysbrechr' into Englsh. Even Dion Bouccault,
wno can turn anything into anything, would fail
here Tine piece Is constructed somewhat after the
model OF seneca, and the metre is that OF Racine
and COrneile always unsympathetic to English
AS We are now Ia summer all the principal Dutch
playhouses closed, and therefore theatrical hom
age the great VanGel is utterly out OF the question:
but perpetual tribute paid 20 ms fame in the prin
clpal park OF Amsterdam, which bears the name of
"Vandeps Parkn This layorite promenade 49, like
your Park, new construction. The old park, open
TO everybody gratis, was turned into geological
garden, which, in the opinion OF Dutchmen-but
don't believe themis superior to that in the Regents
Park London. Now, this conversion, though nigh
ly conducive TO the interests OF science did not
accord with the views OF people in general, who
preferred stroll for nothing to promenade, lions
included charged at the OF half guilder per
head. The "Vandel's ParK' was laid out-and
very pretty affair 1t iswtb statue OF the poet in
the most conspicuous spot, and bust OF him in the
picturesque care restaurant, which has been erected
for the refreshment of the luxurious Talking of the
luxurious let me recommend the pilgrim to the
shrine of Vandel 10 can i0r glass OF "Ad-
vocat" This Is compounded OF brandy, eggs
ana nutmeg, which may be pronounced delicious.
Though the principal theatres are, as have said.
closed at this season OF the year. there are TWO or
three "Zomer-theatre'' open at Amsterdam, on the
same principle as the ''Sommer-theater' of Ger
many-tnat Is to say they are associated with
bona nae garden, but after the manner of Nlblo's
| Garden of Broadway. At some OF these houses the
performance is in French and German; at Others
| Dutch Just now Flemish company is acting I'm
| Dutchl the French farce ''Nos Domestiques with
wonderful spirit l DO not know whether this piece
| was ever transferred TO America. Some two years
ago version of 1t was brought out at the London
strand, with no marked success; but II might De
popular IN the West, and 1t delights the good folk OF
| Amsterdam.
Let not the American or English traveller who
| carries the nrepressioe Murray" unaer his arm
allow himself 10 msled by his guide, philosopher
and friendn into belief that the Dutch are strict
| observers OF the Sabbath. They are not one whit
| moro rigid than the Parisans, and though they are
for the most part Presby terlan Cavnlsts they are
| no more Ike the Presbyterians OF North Britain
| than the climate OF Holland is like that OF siam.
\ AS for the performances at the Cafes Chan
| tantsv OF Amsterdam, they more grossly
| indecent than anything / ever witnessed in
/ my lie. Thanks 10 the ''Grande Duchesse dc Ge-
| rolsteinn we have ali of late been more or less
initiated into the mysteries OF the cancan but sl
the of the ordinary actress or danseuse is OF
that ideal kind that refuses 10 suggest the actuates
| OF every DAY life. Now, the che. attraction at one
OF the Amsterdam cafes Is young lady from Berlin,
who sings lin French) an extremely FAST song and
rives 10 exhibit to the spectators those usually Md
den articles OF apparel which belong TO the normal
| French wardrobe OF this haIf OF the nineteenth
| century
the chief place OF amusement Is the Grand Hotel des
| Bains at Schcvening the extensive grounds OF
| which command superb view or the sea. These
| grounds covered with tables and chairs placed
10 further the consumption OF coffee, beer and grog,
| and on special occasions the company IS enlvened
| by the performance OF military band. That metal
lie helmet worn under the cap, which is convention
| ally associated with feminine Holland, ls especially
prevalent among the fishing girls OF Schevening, and
enables them to make very orilnah. ngnre on
| wIedy bonnet, rightfully lkened by Murray to a
| coal scutule.
stork occupies the chief place in the arInOrial bear
ngs OF the Hague and IN the FISH market OF the same
| town two or three specimens OF the long
family are rgidly preserved in true spirit OF faith
1t is needless remark that the stOrk in Germany
and Holland according TO 1ne mSn9iogy f oi tne
tion in precisely the same fashion as the parsley
| bedn OF England.
| YESTERDAY being the birthday OF the Queen Of the
Netherlands, was duly celebrated here by music and
fireworks in the Bosch or park lhe Queen Is ex-
tremely popular: so also is the King; but their at
tachment to each other must be OF q very peculiar
knd inasmuch as they scarcely ever reside together
| The very fact that the Queen has her separate
palace In the ''Bosch,r while the regal palace Is in
the heart OF this town, Is singular. However, the
Orange family from the days OF the rs Staathouder,
William the Silent, OF glorious memory wide Mr..
Motley's book, always 10 have been rather odd
1 in their matrimonial notions.
The fireworks in the 'Boschr last night were very
brilliant. The letter 1nitia OF sophiel appeared In
silver fire In the midst OF temple also OF fre, on the
'front.' Of which was inscribed, sli in IRE, June H.
neatly figuring between the years 1918 and 1862 In
some parts OF the world plain indications OF lady's
age are not deemed part OF courtesy, but 1t seems
| to be otherwise In Holland; for there Is not this
morning lutchman IN Oil the Hague who has not
been informed through igneous characters, that
Queen Sophie completed her fifty first year yester-
day In spite OF the strenuous efforts OF the rain,
which was heavy throughout the evening, TO cut or
| the source OF information fiery siork was another
conspicuous object in the midst OF THIS birthday
| soemnty. The tri-colored 1ags that literally
| adorned the town were interningled with plain
| orange-colored banners In honor OF the regnlng
| family.
one OF the oldest institutions In connection with
Dutch national festival Is certain little cake, about
the size OF gingerbread nut, which "A manufactured
before the eyes OF the public. Atemporary hosiery,
containing couple OF slttlpg rooms, and substan-
| tal in appearance, IL set up in an inconCelvaby
short time. and in front OF this, over furnace s
sheet Of iron, dotted all over with little concave pits.
| Into these quantity OF batter, taken from maIes
| tic looking vase, is poured by stately DAME aud
| thus formed into an ninity Of cakes. switch when
| done on one side are dexterously turned by boy
1 who wieds long stick. III about two minutes the
operation IL complete, and dozen cakes, put in y
plate and surmouned Dy pat OF butter, yended
10 the customer a the small rate of four stivers.
BY the by, one of our ''guides'-1 think II IL the
Continental Bradshawn-telis us that the stiver no
| longer exists In Holland. This Is not the case.
''Stiver'' is still the name popuary given to the
| piece OF five cents, which II equal TO one penny Eng
ish. Gold coin IS unknown 20 the country, the arg
est piece IN circulation being large silver coin,
representing two Horins Tor guildersl and half,
and nearly corresponding IN value TO the five franc
| piece OF the frencn, wnIcR It closely resembles IN
appearance.
| The druggists shops here have comica sign
| namely, large head carved In wood, with rs
mouth wide open and commonly decKed with
| turban. Whether this Is portrait Of Turk
who ancienty sold rhubarb in the streets, whether
the open mouth denotes unusual readiness the
| part OF the Dutcn IN swallow physlc, can't say.
Great travellers as the Americans are and iond as
they are OF making the European tour, IL seems to
me that this Interesting country Is not patronized by
them 10 the extent OF Its merits which is the
marked as Mr.. Motleys book the rise OF the Dutch
republic - the standard work on the subject. The