The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1879-12-12

dripping with soap aud water. i am
constrained to say, however, that ! hes
lieve that this custom comes more from
the deeply seated habits of Gle people
than from any superior or innate love
Of that quality which is described as
next to godliness. Churches are al
ways an interesting element of o. city'a
composition, as they often date back far
into past generations and display the
sober, religious and seculsr eense of the
people. Here they are as gray and
peculiar as the rest of the buildings,
severe in their outlines, simple and cold
in their interior, and their high towers
devoid of those embellishments and the
graceful architecture that often excite
the awe and reverence of even the her
etic and unhOly. Some of them from
the associations from the scenes they
have witnessed, which through them
seem to be crystallized into visible
events of history, naturally have an In;
terest beyond their material structure.
Many of them have chimes OF bells
which play during the hours. The eff
feet upon the stranger at first is pleas
ing, but as time goes on and he hears
the same tunes rung out in their
changes, hour after hour, and has his
thoughts by day and dreams by night
invaded by continual tinkling repetition
of airs whose familiarity finally breeds
contempt, tie music become insipid and
monotonous, and he unanimously perhaps
profaLely resolves that automatic
chimes are nuisance. But though
Amsterdam may be outwardIy devoted
to the
PRACTICAL AND PROFITABLE
In lie, she does not at heart lose sight
of the esthetic. Art has here some of
its most gifted patrons, and the memory
of the great artists who lived here and
fourished, and gave worldwide fame
to the Dutch school of painting, is hall
lowed with domestic fervor. Several
galleries offer their attractions, and con-
tain in the long list of valuable paint
ings the masterpieces Of Rembrandt and
other native artists, many Of which pos
sess, beside their wonderful artistic
merit, local and patriotic siguifcatioY
Outside of the city proper, with It's nett
work OF narrow, crooked thorcughfares
aud dirty canals. are spacious and ele-
giant environs, where public and private
taste is more fully displayed. Here are
the parks and geological gardens, better
arranged and far more interesting than
the much boasted ones of London.
Amsterdam is certainly a most intersG-
ing city to visft. There is a quaintDessi
about it, primitive antiquity and
peculiar old style, that pleasantly COM
trasts with the newness aud elegance and
modern regularity OF most OF the Euro
pean capitals, and especially OF our
American cities. Parts of il seem to
have stepped out OF the thirteenth or
fourteenth century and to retain the
aspect which we associate with ages 40
long gone by. Even if such age does
not hallow particular localities, che
devious. narrow streets, the sornber,
curious buildings and the hoary appear
ance convey an impression as though
everything had been nodded under the
hand of time and tinged and tempered
in its flight. It is an agreeable pastime
TO wander at random through it's laby-
rinth of ways. TO thread its many
bridges, ard saunter by its canals, with
none OF the usual rumble and roar of
city to oppress the ear to note the
busy life, the sturdy thrift and enter
prise to inspect the shops. gay and rich
within amid their display of goods to
feel that you are mingling in scenes
such as have not their counterpart
this produces those novel sensations
and the mental exhilaration which are
the zest of travel.
-----> 9~--------
T@hnra Ia hsrH 1;ealo v1,.y,k,m R,sts4~, tGmx