Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-11-14
The. hikes OF Holland.

The dikcS or Holland are tue uOSt Wou-
dcrful of the national characteristics, and
show Dutch determination to good advan-
taoe. The most stupendous embankments
in the whole country are the dikes Of Holder
and West Cappcl. Watchmen OF tie
special engineer corps, known as the
Waterstaat, are continually on the look
out in winter to meet any exigencies that
NAV suddenly arise, and are armed with
every requisite to meet the emergency OF
prevailing southwest winds acting on the
surface of the Atlantic, or the Northwest
tenn ests propelling the sea through the
narrow straits of Dover, which, thus aug
mented, falls back with double force on
the shores of Holland, and causes the tide
to rise above the high-water mark. When
such calamity is anticipated, the alarm
bells are rung, and every available man
hastens to his assigned post of duty.
From 533 to 1925, Holland has been sub
iected to terrible inundations. In l2S9
eighty thousand people lost their lives
The improved system of dikes, introduced
by the Spanish Governor Roblcs, were the
means of much good, as of late years the
disastrous consequences of an lnundatlon
have been somewhat mitigated. What
constitutes a dixie is unknown TO many.
A solid foundation is necessary first, which
IS accomplished by either driving down
piles, ramning the soil, or laying sub
stratum oil clay. The depth OF foundation
for sea dixie averages from one hundred
and twenty to one hundred and fifty feet:
The face is Of clay, and the inner OF sand
or earth, the whole sloped from one to
thirteen feet.A description OF wicker
work alled with puddled clay, to close
the interstices aud render them compact,
is placed as kind Of thatch to protect the
dixie, This wicker-work is renewed every
three or four years, and its construction
gives employment to many people. The
upper part of the dixie rises from twenty
five to forty feet; ard when covered with
turf, forms very good road.
A SURPRISED HUNTER.-A hunter en-
the Rio Grande, who was invariably un-
successful, became so much annoyed by
the taunts of his companions, that be de-
termined to adopt the Comanchc Indian
fashion OF hunting, and accordingly dressed
himself in deer. skin, and ornamcnted his
head with huge antlcrs. Thus equipped
be sa lied out, aud took his place at tav.
orite "stano." \ few moments only
elapsed before a cougar. perchlng in the
limbs of the tree above, thinking that he
saw "a sure enough buck" leapcd from his
airv abode plump on the hunters back, at
the same time bhrying his claws and teeth
deeply into the dried skin. A yell Of
fright and as onlshment greeted the cou-
gar, such as never before was heard from
the throat of living ycnison, and dropping
MS game, the animal and the hunter took
different directions, it being matter of
uncertainty, even to this day, which OF the
two was most alarmed.
LEGISLATIVE SroRIEs.-One of our legiS-
latures has won distinction during the
last winter sessions for an average oI
intellectual weakness which will render it
memorable for many years to come. Il
rise for information" said one of th"
dullest of the members. ' ain very glad
to hear it," said one, who was leaning
over the bar emo man wants it more
than yourself" Another member rose to
speak on the bill to abolish capital punish
ments, and commenced by saying: " Mr..
Speaker, the generality of mankind in
general are disposed to exercise oppression
on the generality of mankind in general. y
You had better STOP" said one, who
was sitting near enough to pull him uy
the coat tail; "you had better stop ::
You are coming ont of the same hole you
went in at"
Protecting TREEs.-The easiest,
cheapest, and surest way to protect a
tree from rabbits during winter is to
wash the lower part of the stem with n
thick mixture Of COW dung and water or
to smear them over with blood or but
:, n1 c.kl>o, onr1,oo f;op will frry,