The Newtown bee., 1897-04-09

pOieQ through and oH we went agaln. | Then before us unfolded the Dutch land scape. I myself had often looked at Delft and wondered if the original was as perfect as that. As we glided along CD the peaceful canal, the long arms of the windmills outlined against the sky, the feeling was that of sailing down a canal on aghuge Delft plaque. I could think of nothing else.
 The water in the canal was almost stagnant. Scarcely a ripple disturbed it's calm surface. On either side of the canal stretched for miles perfectly level pasture land, crossed in every direction by narrow canals. On this broad stretch of country were pastured literally thou sands Of Holstein cattle. All model COWS, while on the banks of the smaller canals loeks of geese lay quietly resting. AS we glided softly along we passed low, red-roofed houses so far below us we saw only an occasional roof or tree.top, or the arms of a noble windmill sailing
 majestically around. Now and then we passed the fishing boats sweeping rapidly by in the strong wind, making no sound
 save the boatswain's call as it passed. All seemed lifeless or asleep.
 On the bridges we passed under sat rows of grinning urchins, hanging their feet over the water with the sabots
 balanced on their feet as unconcerned, as could be. We slackened speed as we
 neared these bridges for they were toll
 gates. An old man would come out,
 pipe in mouth and dressed in the full
 brooches and heavy sabots of his country
 men. In his hand, a fishing rod with a
 wooden shoe tied to it. This was lower ed into the boat for toll. Many of their
 drawbridges were wound round by means
 of only a windlass while the bridge keep
 CT was oftimes study peasant woman
 with her children to help her.
 After an hours sail we came into the
 pretty village of Brock in WaUerland.
 This small town is considered the clean
 est place in Holland and it certainly was very clean and neat. It was very quiet
 and the arrival of our party made quite
 a stir. As if by magic when we anchor
 ed, dozens of small dutchmen appeared
 Perfect miniatures of their fathers. The same enormous sabots, and wide, bloom
 erlike trousers. They are certainly as
 broad as long and seem to find life very joyous. At least, so one would think from their looks. The women too are perfect pictures. In their very stiff
 skirts and prim waists, elbows -sleeved
 On their heads they wear sort of hel-
 met. This is really broad band
 of silver or gold which clasps around the
 head and over this is worn lace cap. On
 the temples are spirals which stick out in front. These bands are handed down in the family and are prized possessions. Most of them are silver, but even these are expensive.
 After survey of the town we started
 on once more, this time toward our ob- jective point, the isle of Marken in the Zuider Zee. As we sailed on there ap- peared on the horizon 8 line, which as
 we came nearer proved to be high bank
 and we had our first sight of 8 dike. By locks we passed through 1t and were out on the Zuider Zee. There was quite a
 wind blowing and the water was dotted
 here and there with tue fishing boats. Before us was dark line which would sometime be Marken; behind us. the faint outlines of the now distant main-
 land. While all around us were the grey cold waters of the Zuider Zee.
 As we sped rapidly on we could dis. Itinguish the outlines of houses on the is- land and nasts of boats. Marken is on- fly little fishing Island, all it's inhabi-. tants being fishermen. It was evidently