Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-28

At the Hague we took most charm
ing drive out to
THE QUEEN DowAGER's PALACE,
and found il very elegantly fitted up,
4 suite Of four reception rooms, open
ing out into each other, was perfectly
exquisite, fitted up in Japanese and
Chinese style, two of each. The walls
had fine white or light satin hangings,
embroidered most deliberately in jap
anese designs. The furniture
matched these, and consisted of the
richest inlaid cabinets and tables, aud
vases and screens filling every corner,
all the most superb and elaborate
specimens Of Japanese or Chinese art
work. The rooms seemed almost too
beautiful to enter. But everything,
even the walls, were carefully covered
| with white linen.
| From the Hague We also took a run
down to
scHEvNINerN.
the Coney Island of the Hague, or
better the Brighton of Holland, as
here the fashionable Dutch world
flock. 1t is a sleepy, dull kind of a
place in comparison with Coney
Island, but withal very attractive,
with its wide beach and inviting
hotels. On the beach We saw many
curious sights, and were very reluc-
tant to leave so pleasant place. The
beach was covered with large basket
kind Of chairs, where persons could
sit, for a few cents pay, and enjoy the
fresh sea air.
Our next stopping place was
AMSTERDAM.
Its numerous canals and bright lights
fascinated me the FIRST night reached
there. 1t has the natural character
istics of the other Dutch cities, but is
much handsomer in every respect,
The streets are nicer and the build. |
ings more modern and elegant. All |
the streets in the city radiate from the
Dam" or square, as center, and
from this also all the trains run out
over the city, reminding me OF New
Orleans in this convenience in the ar
rangemeut Of car lines. In this city |
we had something to interest and
please US all the time. 1t is unlike
any other city in almost every respect.
Narrow little streets start of in every
direction, and down these narrow
alleys, for they deserve no better name,
the people all walk in the middle of
the street. 1t was an original sight to
see the portly Dutchmen waddling up
and down in the middle Of the streets,
without any regard for the sidewalks.
This custom was particularly interest
ing to US, not alone foI Its novelty, but
also because we saw it with more than |
its usual number Of grotesque fea-
lures. Owing to the fact that
THE GREAT EXPOSITION
was being held, the city was crowded |
with rural people, and we saw many
rare types Of the natives. The women
are always scrupulously neat, and with
their full dresses and white caps, are
quite attractive. But their head
adornments are something astouish-
ing, and one naturally wonders how
they can wear such extraordinary
things. Some Of these were regular
helmets, made of brass, silver or gold;
others projected out like regular rolls,
or in other grotesque shapes, standing
out several inches from the face, and
half hiding it. When | asked about
these strange head adornments, was
told that they were worn by the
wealthy country people, and we're .
source Of great pride to their owners,
and that they descended as precious
heirlooms from mother to daughter.
Many Of these country peasants are
said to be richer than the merchant
princes or city mobiles. l am sure
! Washington Irving never saw or heard
of these head ornaments, or he would
have made the pages of the Knickas
booker, if possible, still more laugh.
able than it is. When we were in
Amsterdam, the city was crowded
with this class of people, and they
were the source Of most interest to
US.
In this city we visited another
choice art gallery, and here we saw
THE ROYAL PALACE.
Unjust confess that l was disap-
pointed in the splendor Of royalty, for
in spite of endless suites of saloons,
state and private apartments, vast
amounts of frescoes, gildings, columns,
etc, the palace did not reach my ideal.
We devoted one day to theExpOsition,
and it was really very fine. 1t was
very much like our Centennial. There
was perfectly bewildering display OF
all the elegant manufactures OF Eng
land, France and the other large pro.
ducing countries, such as silks, laces.
ljewelry, porcelain, etc., with side
shows Of every variety, and Japanese,
Chinese and Turkish booths. Outside
Of all these, there were still other side
shows Of every imaginable variety,
and numerous smaller buildings, GOV
ering miles Of space, it seemed. In
one part of the grounds there was a
beautiful garden, with large open air
concert pavilion, in which we heard
most beautiful concert, while around
US on all sides the people were netting
their lace 6hile enjoying the music.
The Exposition building itself is Of a
most gorgeous style of architecture,
and attracts attention long way off by
its shoWiness.
| Amsterdam is a very picturesque
city, with its perfect net work Of canals