The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-05-04
The Rotterdam Gardens.


we are in Holland from the aspect of the
country through which we have been
passing, and we know this must be one
of its principal cities from the hustle and
evidences of business activity which we
see about us. How odd the people look
What queer costumes and droll figures
they seem to our stranger eyes. That
woman there with her wooden shoes, her
clean white linen and fancy head-dress-
what sensation she would create if sud-
denly transported and set down in the
streets of Boston just as she is!
But as we are bound for the Hague
and Amsterdam, let us find our way to
the railroad station. How narrow and
clean the streets are, and how strange it
seems to see the vessels at the doors Of
the warehouses in the center OF the city.
There is a young man, clerk probably
of the establishment, leaning from the
window of the counting room and talking
with the Dutch skipper on the very deck
of his vessel It seems convenient to
have things literally at ones door as they
are here.
This bridge is draw-bridge, and
through that one yonder they are passing
an unwieldly canal-boat. The skipper,
with his family, lives on board; and there,
near the stern, sits the mother, knitting
away, while one who may be the oldest
boy stands at the tiller and guides the
craft as it creeps along. About the deck
toddles the baby, and the little ones APP
pear perfectly at home in their floating
dwelling.
This is the railroad station; but as it is
some time before the train will start, let
us step into these gardens opposite. We
enter broad avenue extending long
distance before us, shaded by trees of ali
varieties, from whose branches depend
cages containing birds of rare and bril-
liant plumage, which represent the feath-
cred foresters of all parts of the world.
They greet us with shrill cries, especially
the green paroquet there whose voice
seems to pierce ones head.
On our left at some distance is the res
taurant of the garden-an open-air cafe
where are served soda-waters and light
wines, together with ices and cakes. 1t
appears to be we'll patronized, and good
military band dispenses music in really
artistic and acceptable manner.
Now we approach the aviaries. In
these large cages, constructed of coarse
wire netting, the meshes, of course, being
too fine to permit the escape of the small
est inmate, are confined birds Of all spe-
cies and chimes from the representative
of the Russians to the golden-plumed Ca
nary of the tropics. They fit about from
perch to perch, and chirp and sing mer-
rily, seemingly free as air, but neverthe-
less captives.
In the adjoining compartment are kept
the long-legged flamingo and secretary
bird. See the one in the corner; what an
odd figure he cuts standing on one leg
with the other foot resting on his knee,
while the quilts on his head have the ap-
pearance Of pen behind the ear of hu-
man notary or book-keeper! They have
most sober, and at the same time,
mirth- provoking aspect as they stand
there for minutes without ever moving a
feather, but all the while their sharp eyes
snap so brightly.
Notice that one drinking. As he
stretches his long neck and dips his bill
into the water, then raises his head and
apparently "smacks his lips" he seems to
enjoy his draught full as much as those
Dutchmen at the table yonder do their
lager. 1t would be better for them no
doubt if they knew no stronger beverage
than that which our flamingo in his cage
sips and is content with.
Here are the flesh eaters, the bald-eagle
and the fierce vulture, together with the
raven and carrion crow. They present as
different appearance from their long
legged neghbors as could well be i'm
agned, as they sit on the branches of the
trees and gaze at the spectators with saw
age eyes. They are useful creatures
though, and however unpleasant they
may appear, should be treated kindly.
But what is this2 Have we stumbled
on to the ruin of some ancient castle, or
is it fanciful structure erected to give
variety to the scene2 1t appears to be
the former-but it is the latter; a clever
imitation of an old tower, which has
fallen to pieces through storm or assault,
while the dark stones have become COW
cred with green mantle of beautiful and
and graceful creepers totally concealing
the structure itself.
The rays of the sun are reflected, and
CLINT from thousand brilliant surfaces
which sparkle like diamonds. This beau
tiful effect is produced by pieces of glass
which have been mixed in with the COM
position of which the ruin is made. How
beautiful and picturesque it looks! 1t
carries US back hundred years, remind
ing us Of the stories we used to read.
But the time approaches for the train
to start and we must leave the place. We
do SO with a feeling that the hour has
been well spent, and with most pleasant