The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-08-16
IN FOREIGN LANDS.
A Letter From Mr.. G. II. Austin Who
Is Sojournlng In Europe.
PARIS. France. Jnly 25.

PARIS, France, July %.
We sailed from New York on the
Edam, of the Royal Netherlands, on the
morning of the 9th of June, and, after
long and stormy voyage we reached
| Amsterdam. We landed the 10th OF
July. It rained every day We were on
passage, save two, with one severe storm,
we called it, but the sailors did not seem
to think it bad; however / never want
| to see worse one. The wind blew a
perfect gale for IA hours, and the rain
came down in torrents. The waves
rolled high as mountains, and our boat
rocked like cradle on the deep. One
wave would rush over the deck foot
deep, then recede, only to give place to
another. We could watch the waves
from our cabin; it was grand, yet most
fearful sight to behold. After the storm
had spent its fury, the sun came out
bright, and its genial rays were never
appreciated more, dare say, by the
passengers, who now came on deck to
enjoy its warmth and brightness.
We had, believe, every nation re-
presented in our boat, and jolly crew
they We're. Some going to Europe to
school, others to visit, and one Professor
and family, and clergyman. The young
people played games, danced, walked,
etc. We had one mock trial that caused
much merrIment.
The morning of the 9th of july we saw
signs of land. Large sea gulls came out
to meet us, and followed close to our
boat as If expecting to be fed. We
threw bread and meat out to them, and
they would dive down after them and
devour them eagerly. They are beau
tiful bird, about the size of duck, and
seem very tame. In the afternoon we
saw land in the distance, and hailed it
with rapture. We saw boats going to
and fro and everything Indicated that we
were soon to set our feet on terra firma.
The next morning we went early on
deck to see the famous Eddystone light
house. By this time boats were becom-
ing numerous, some bound for New
York loaded with passengers. We ex-
changed salutes and passed on. Water
changed to an amber color, and the swell
of the sea assumed a long gentle sweep.
We passed long sandy point, a trife
above high-tide, here we could see forti-
ticatlons, depots, cars and telegraph
poles, also large lighthouse on the
point. Here we take on a pilot, who
brings us English papers, which l can
assure you were duly appreciated. As
we passed up the North Sea, we lost
sight of land again, and in the morning
early we enter the mouth of the canal.
Here two large lighthouses guard the en-
trance of the break-water, which is q
massive stone wall, fifteen or twenty
feet wide, running across and enclosing
the bay or entrance to the canal, making
fine, still harbor. Proceeding across
the bay we reach the first lock which is
closed behind us and then the one
ahead opened, and when the water finds
its level with the water in the canal, and
the ship proceeds on its way to Amster-
dam. The length of the canal is IA miles,
by constructing this it cuts off from one
to two hundred miles, and is called the
North Sea canal.
Amsterdam, the capitol of Holland,
was founded about the year twelve hun
dred, and looks very ancient. It is
very interesting city and we were nicely
situated in the "Bible Hotel" From
here we secured guide and carriage
and made the rounds of the city. We
went to the bank and got Holland
money and sent a cablegram home. We
saw many buildings from two to eight
hundred years old. At that time canals
existed in every principal street, but
some have been filled up and paved
over with stone or brick. We saw three
diamond factories for cutting, polishing
and preparing the diamonds for sale.
The factories employ ten thousand work
men, mostly Jews. We visited an or
phans asylum, (the orphan children
were dressed in two colors, half red
and half black, refuge for the aged,
and houses where the poor were cared
for. Also schools, picture galleries,
geological gardens and the Kings palace,
making specially of the two last.
The city ID very quiet. The business
is done mostly on the canals. The streets
are used mostly for footmen and hand
with their carts of fruit and vegetables
for sale. The city has grown outward in
semi-circles, ever larger and larger from
its central point, the Dam. Each semi
circle is formed by broad canal, bord-
cred on either side by narrow paved
street. There are 20 or 80 of these can
ais, the longest being 9 miles, and they
are spanned by 300 or more bridges, d.
viding the city in 90 islands. ''The Dam"
is where theKing's palace is situated and
is indeed worth visiting. From this
point the current of busy life begins.
Amsterdam is indeed very interesting
and we feel abundantly paid for our
time spent there.
Our trip up the river Rhine 1 will not
attempt to describe, it is beyond my
ability. One can only see to appreciate.
The boats on the Rhine were fitted up
for pleasure and accommodation. We
stopped at Cologne and saw the wonder
ful Cathedral; it was founded in 124S and
completed in 1880, and it is wonderful
structure. We land at Mannheim, and
from there take the train for Switzer-