The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-11-23
OVER THE OCEAN.
HELDER, Holland, !
Sent. IL. 1872.

Inc town OF Helder svery neat and clean.
The houses generally two stories high. The
streets are straight and we'll laid out and of
medium width. The principal, l may say.
the only streets worthy the name is the Bin
neahaven and Stadstadt, both of considera-
BILE length and facing the harbor. The
houses are built on one side; row of trees
growing on the other, giving them very
fresh and pretty appearance.
The canal which goes to Amsterdam,
&C., and the breakwater or Mole contain
ing great number of ships of all nations,
chiefly English and Norwegian, and few
Americans. are facing the Binneahaven.-
There appears to be no business beyond that
made by the foreign vessels. The people
true to their traditions as Dutchmen, ap-
pear to take the world very easy. Every
thing is done in quiet, jog trot manner,
with few exceptions. The dress, both of
men and women, are the same as the Amer
leans, each in his several class. The most
prominent difference l noticed, was the
wearing of gold band on the forehead Of
the middle aged ladies, which is very hand
some. Upon the whole, the Dutch are
what have always been taught to believe
them to be, quiet, easy, plodding, thick
headed race. Wide awake, however, for
their own interests, which is amply proved
by their past history, and the high style
they have always kept their country, which,
although one of the smallest in Europe, is
able to contain its large population of
1000, 900 with comparative wealth and
comfort. Newdeep, the harbor is situated
on the west point of the island of Detel,
small island, at the entrance of the Zader
Zee. In day or so we shall bs off again
for Brest, France. After leaving England
we parted from the fleet, and steamed for
Christeansand, Norway, Copenhagen, Den
mark, Cronstadt, Russia, and Stockholm,
Sweden. shall tell you of the latter place:
l applied for three days leave, granted.
Stockholm, the Capitol and largest city in
Sweden, is $50 miles north east of Copen-
hagen, and 440 miles west south west of
St. Petersburg; contains $50 houses; they
are generally of brick succeed of uniform
buff or yellow color. My first excursion
was with my duty Sergeant, and we hap
pened to get good guide, named Pont-
strach, who had been in the United States
over 81 years. Having hired two horse
team, we went for drive in the jar gar
den, the great place of amusement in Stock
holm. The park is of large extent, con-
tanning a great many first-class private
residences of TIE wealthy. The most
noted and prettily situated is Rosendal,
the residence of the Queen Aywager, widow
of King Oscar, tastefully laid out walks
and drives which cross the garden in all
directions Facing the harbor and city is
the principal places of amusement, such as
the Theatre, Allambra, Hasselbaden, Cir
Gus, sc. The city of Stockholm, which
may, with justice, be called the Venice OF
the north, is built on seven islands, all con-
nected with bridges or ferry boats. The
boats running every few minutes to the
different points of landing. In the evening,
which happened to be gala night in honor
of the celebrated Swedish poet (Bellwan,)
went to the Haselbacken, in the gardens,
and went to the Circus and to other places
which was crowded with old and young,
gaily dressed, of both sexes. Returned to
town in the evening, and went to the house
of Mr.. p and spent with his family
very pleasant evening-never to be forgot
ten. Next morning, early, we went to the
ROYAL Palace, built from design of Count
Sessiap, about 1760. 1t is of immense size,
of Italian school of architecture, it is stu
ated in the main part of the city, on the
bank of the river and is conspicuous from
every part of the city. In consequence
of the King being absent in the south, visi-
tors are shown all over the Palace. There
fore had the rare opportunity of being in
all the apartments, private as we'll as pub
lie; all the apartments are handsomely fur
nished. The furniture and tapestry being
almost entirely of Swedish workmanship
There are numerous articles, basto and
paintings in all the rooms. The late queen
Louisa's rooms, who died about one year
ago, are not shown to visitors. Facing the
Palace after crossing the bridge, leading
into the north part of the city, an eques-
trian statue is erected to Charles XII
Dined with Mr.. Pontstrach, and in the
afternoon we went over to the National
Museum, which is across the river oppo-
site the palace, and we'll worthy of a visit;
only two of the floors were open, those of
statuary and paintings, by the old masters,
prominent among whom were the names
of Robeus, Rambreat, Molinar, and Hoogh-
lilo. Seveneral rooms are wholly occupied
by old Swedish relics, dating back many
hundred years, such as saddles, brides,
spears, and peunants of all kinds. In one
Of the rooms is seen the stuffed brown
charger, rode by King Gustaves Adolphus
XII, on which he was killed at the battle of
Satyre, fought on the 9th of November,
1852; also the clothes worn by Charles XII
in which he was killed at the battle Of
Frederickshall, fought on the Both of No
vember IT'S. The clothes still showing
traces of blood from the wound which he
received in his head. His hat, an old felt
one similar to those worn by an army mule
driver, shows the hole the ball made that
killed him. Both the palace and museum
are worth seeing. Having met one of my
men, accepted his invitation to take a
drive into town. 1t must be confessed we
caused considerable amusement to the peo-
pie on the streets on passing. There is a
| number of barracks and soldiers quarters
in this part of the town; almost every Off
| Ger and soldier saluted us, while one guard
turned out and presented arms; we of
course, returned the salutes. / ought TO
have mentioned going to the Central Rail