Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-26


crossed and surrounded by canals, upon
which hundreds of fair lady skaters and
their escorts may be seen in winter enjoy.
ing the pleasure of skating.
THE DUTCH COURT
Does not exhibit much pomp; the royal
family lives in excluded and simple man
ner, compared to other countries. There
are two royal palaces in the city, the old
and new one. The King possesses also a
country residence and beautiful park at
Sorg Vliet. The neighborhood of the
Hague is attractive on account of its many
gardens and country houses. Numerous
canals cross the city and lead in every d.
rection. In winter these canals are COW
cred with smooth ice, which converts them
into public roads for those who love skat.
ing. For this reason, instead Of taking
the cars for Leyden, we took to skating
and made the distance between the two
cities in few hours. This way of travel
ing is pleasant, healthy and recreative. The
ice is as smooth as mirror, and once
started it seems as if one were feeting on
wings. We met number of country peo-
pie going to town, among whom were
many women and girls carrying baskets on
their heads, filled with eggs and butter,
as uneoncernedly as if they were on the
high-road. Such is the M tn of locomo
ton employed by most country people in
winter time.
CITIES OF CANALS AND BRIDGES.
Leyden is remarkable city in many
respects. 1t is crossed by four main wa.
ter-courses and numerous canals, spanned
by l44 bridges. This is the classical city
of Holland, its center of learning, arts and
sciences. The University was founded in
1875 and possesses large library, observ-
atory and important natural, anatomical
and chemical cabinets. A number of sci
entific and artistic institutions have their
seat at Leyden. 1t is the birth. place of
the painters Rembrandt, Lucas van Ley
den and other celebrated men. There are
many old churches and monuments which
would interest an antiquarian. Travelling
again by rail we reached Amsterdam, the
commercial metropolis of Holland. This
city may be called second Venice, not
with regard to its beauty, but with regard
to its peculiar position. 1t lies on marshy
ground and is built mostly on piles. The
river Amstel and many canals divide the
town into ninety isles, connected by 300
bridges. While in Venice the canals are
the regular streets and occupy the whole
space between the houses, in Amsterdam
there are broad quays on each side of the
canals, giving the whole an aspect of i'm
mense space. In this respect the city
offers sight unique in its way. The
streets are generally lined with trees and
kept clean. The general appearance, how
ever, is that OF an
ANTIQUE AND ALMOST GLOOMY PLACE.
There are few nice streets and number
of public squares which somewhat relisve
the monotonous aspect of the rest. Am.
sterdam is one of the wealthiest places in
the world. Large fortunes have been &C.
cumulating here for centuries. The palaces
erected by the East and West India Com
panies testify to the power and richness of
the country in by.gone years. The i'm
portance of the city in its palmy days was
greater than 1t is now yet its commerce
and industry give it still prominent place
among the great cities of Europe. 1t is,
and has always been, great mart for dia-
monds and jewelry. Dismond-cutting is
done On large scale in Amsterdam. The
population is over 800, 600, including many
Jews, but few foreigners. 1t counts num-
Der of learned societies, scientific and ar
tistic institutions, observatory, museum,
and one of the richest botanical and zoolog-
ical gardens in Europe. The theaters do not
offer any attraction, for the reason that the
Dutch play lacks that vivacity and variety
which are met with in other countries.
CITY AND PROVINCE OF UTRECHT.
Our next stopping place was Utrecht.
another of Hollands classical cities. 1t
lies at the confluence of that branch of the
river Rhine, called the Old Rhine, and the
river Vecht. The population is about
IS, 900. 1t boasts of an old palace, mint,
arsenal, university, academy of painting
and some literary and scientific societies.
Its industry is considerable. The province
of Utrecht is in part hilly, with a surface
of sand and heath, while the low. lands are
msrshy, with soil of turf-moor. Agri-
culture is therefore not remunerative. To
the north stretches the Zuyder sea, gulf
of the North sea, said to be dangerous to
navigators on account of its many shoals.
After leaving Utrecht we came to Arnheim,
city of the size of Sacramento and some.
what resembling it on account of its streets
being mostly lined with trees. 1t is for
titled place. The surroundings ara pretty
and showed US that the low.lands had been
left behind. Here the Old Rhine may be
seen, if not in its beauty, at least in its
majesty; for, farther on towards the sea,
the river separates into several branches
and loses great deal of its individuality.
And as for beauty, one must see the Rhine
in the heart of Germany to admire its
scenery. The German frontier was close
at hand. The next place would have been
Emmerich had we decided to enter Ger
many that way ; but we had desire to
visit Aix.ls- Chspelle, and turned south
ward, passing on our way the town of
Maestricht. This brought US nearly back
into Belgium. Maestricht is fortress of
some Importance. Its citadel stands on
the Petersburg, mountain celebrated for
its extensive quarries. 1t is said that the
tunnels through which the stones have been
taken out form
4 LABYRINTHIAN NET WORK,
With length of eighteen miles and a
width OF six miles. The population of
Maestricht ia between 40 600 and so, 900.
1t has but few handsome streets or build
ings; the greater part of the city is old
and dark. Most of the streets are narrow,
and the upper stories of the houses lean
forward in such way that one fears every
moment they might topple over. Before
entering Germany we shall mention, as
curiosity, republic of which hardly any
American, or European either, has ever
heard We refer to the hamlet of Mores.
net, located between Germany, Holland
and Belgium. When, in 1880, the line of
frontier between these countries was drawn,
it so happened that small piece of ground,
on which this hamlet stands, was not
measured off; and although each Of these
countries has in turn claimed this spot, the
matter has never been definitely settled as
to ownership. Its insignifcance is not
likely to bring rupture or war between
them. In the meanwhile its inhabitants
can boast of forming republic of their
own in the midst of monarchical Europe.