The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-18
HOLLAND HABITS.
Ahe Land Where Babies Smoke Cigars-Dutch
Sabbaths and Anniversaries

Robert +. Porter's Letter in Inter Ocean
Every body smokes in Holland, that is, every
male body. One could almost believe that the
male babies are ushered into the world with a
cigar in their mouths. The modifying effects of
tobacco soothe the infant Dutch boy in the era
die, adds variety to his youthful sport and
pastimes, and when he becomes old enough to
errands, or if of well-to-do parents to sit at
the table d'hote with his father and mother,
forms the chief occupation IN life Walk the
streets of Amsterdam early in the morning and
observe the most diminutive Office boy sweeping
the sidewalk, polishing the doorplate, or clean
ing the windows, with six-inch cigar in his
mouth 1t is no uncommon thing for n boy ten
or twelve years old to address you seriously
"A beetye vuur Min heer as beleeft.'
And sober, gray haired men give them the de-
slred light and pass on. have seen boy not
over fourteen years Of age, dining with his pa
rents at table dhote at the Amstel hotel, light
large cigar when the tapers were passed. as
they always are in Holland Immediately after
dessert, and calmly puff away, much to the as
constituent of the British matrons and British
papas present. In railway carriages American
and English arrangements are reversed, smoking
carriages being the rule and no smoking the
exception.
have said that the Dutch are excessively
fond of music, painting, and flowers. 1t is no
uncommon sight in Holland to see boys and girls
OF the most tender age intelligently admiring
beautiful flowers, attentvely listening to music
of the highest order, and critcising new
craving or painting in a shop window or picture
gallery. refer now to the children of poor
parents; to class of children who, in the United
States or England, would possess no power of
approaching such things. This excellent char
acteristic is a source of much entertainment to
people of all ages, and has decided tendency to
elevate the tone of popular amusement The
''Ilngle Tange' so common in every drinking
place in Germany is rarely found in Holland
Next to outdoor and public amusements. [
fancy the Dutch ANNIVERSARIES" afford II larger
amount of diversion than any other form of
fx1 4In
feasts" are multitudinous Engagements.
birthdays, wedding days, anniversaries of part
nerships, ofestabliShed business, of employment
The Dutch always have the great feast at the
betrothal and not at the marriage, wien only
few relatives present. This custom is a
good one. AS have said, any excuse is made
TO hold an anniversary" A firm has been en-
gagged in business twenty-five years: man has
been employed by one firm ten years. Friends are
invited, and systematic entertainment given,
consisting OF songs, recltatonS and speeches.
One Of the guests must give, with considerable
detail. history of the achievement of the firm,
or q biographical sketch of the host. This is
done in the most complimentary and serious
manner, and all are expected to listen attent-
lively. There are rarely any excuses at these
anniversaries" though there is always much
merriment and great good humor throughout
In Holland the Sabbath is not openly dsre-
gardei, as lii France and some parts of Germany,
but it is not made so gloomy and unnteresting
as in England. | have seen the chambermaids
in Holland hotel openly engaged in sewing,
that is making garments, on Sunday, proceed
ing that would horrify an En- glish servant But.
| think, could the prim chambermaids of Great
Britain, who were never known to make bed
without given number of motions see Dutch
girl fling bed together they would be struck
dumb with amazement. After the job is done
in Holland, the bed clothes have the appearance
of being dumped in pile and counterpare
thrown them. Get into it and your feet
are out at the foot of the bed-stead in an in
slant while you are frantcally clutching this
side and that for the blankets and sheets.