Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-02-07
Interesting Facts About the Hollanders.


The last number of Hdrpers' Magazine
contains some very interesting informa-
ton about the Hollanders. We give few
which we think will be of general interest:
WHAT THE DUTCH THINK OF BACIIEI-
oRs.
A bachelor is esteemed sort of social
.monstrosity in the land of dikes and ditch
es, and q deep-rooted prejudice exists
against celibacy. Philosophers of NAL
thus's school do not flourish there. On
the contrary, the Hollanders practically
respect and obey the Scriptural injunction,
"Be we fruitful and multiply, and replen-
ish the earth.n The Alpha and Omega of
u Dutchman's life are competence and
family; and the smallness of one is often
accompanied by the largeness Of the other;
showing, even in that region Of exceptions,
that, vile necessity may be the mother of
invention, poverty is still the father of
many children. 1t is not uncommon for
persons Of middle age to be the parents of
eight, ten and twelve lusty boys and girls,
who give rich promise that in due season
they will, in turn, contribute largely to
the census of the kingdom. The private
history of young persons patiently wait
ing until they can gather enough of this
worlds goods to Justify them in begin
ming wedlock is often touching in its elo-
-quent simplicity and earnest purpose. ]
have been told of numerous pairs, betroth-
ed in their youth, who were forced by
stern circumstances to delay their nuptials
until their locks were thin and gray with
age, and even of those united, down the
hill Of life until, near the bottom, one was
left alone, mourning, with a widowed but
unwedded heart.
SOME QUEER CUSTOMS.
The front-door, as is the custom there,
was not be invaded-it is never opened
except at a marriage, funeral, christening,
or on some other important occason-so j
went around to the side-door, where sew
eral children, nearly all Of the same size,
laid down wet cloth that / might wipe
my feet upon it before entering. The gen.
eral habit there is the Turkish one of re-
mouing the boots or shoes at the door, and
walking in either in stockings or in the
slippers or sabots always conveniently al
hand.
Sickness in house is signitied by @
paper fastened upon the door, with tn,
physicians daily statement of the sick per
sons health, which prevents the need o
knocking or ringing to inquire after thu
patients condition. In some of the towns
of North Holland, where or whenever tn,
feminine head of the household has becom,
a mother, this paper is bordered with lace
and the great frequency of births it that
as in every other province, brings lace int
active demand. The appearance of the in
1ant IN that land, so prollnc or large 1aml
lies, is regarded by all the friends and rel
atives as very joyous event. Any dwell
ing which little stranger has thus mys
teriously entered, possesses, by an old lay
and by a long custom, peculiar privilege
and immunities. The residence to whic
y son or daughter has been added no out
ward disturbance is permitted to troubl
for fortnight. 1t is secure from legal ex
ecutions, from duns and bailitis; and 50
,ders, even in time of war, cannot be qual
tered on the premises. All persons pas
ing the house move lightly, and proce
sions with bands of music interrupt the
playing until they have gone by.