Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-02-04
Interesting Facts About the Rollanders


The last number of HdperS' Magazine
contains some very interesting informa-
ton about the HoIlanders. We give a few
which we think will be of general interest:
WHAT THE DUTCH THINK OF BACHEL-
ORS.
A bachelor is esteemed sort of social
monstrosity III the land of dikes and ditch
es. and 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.r The Alpha and Omega of
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, i'll 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 i'll begin
ming wedlock is often touching III 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 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 marriage, funeral, christening,
or on some other important Occasion-SO |
went around to the side-dOor, where sew
eral children, nearly all of the same size,
laid down q 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 at
hand.
Sickness i'll q house Is SignifiGd by
paper fastened upon the door, with the
physicians daily statement of the sick per-
sons health, which prevents the need of
knocking or ringing to inquire after the
patients condition. In some of the towns
of North Holland, where or whenever the
feminine head of the household has become
a mother, this paper is bordered with lace,
and the great frequency of births it. that,
as in every other province, brings lace into
active demand. The appearance of the in
fant in that land, SO prolific of large fami-
lies, is regarded by all the friends and rel
atives as a very joyous event. Any dwell
ing which little stranger has thus mys-
teriously entered, possesses, by an old law
and by long custom, peculiar privileges
and immunities. The residence to which
son or daughter has been added no out
ward disturbance is permitted to trouble
for fortnight. 1t is secure from legal ex-
ecutions, from duns and bailiffs and sol
diers, even in time of war, can not be quar-
tered on the premises. All persons pass
ing the house move lightly, and process
siOns with bands of music interrupt their
playing until they have gone by.