New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-17
WILHELMINA'S FETES.
THE QUEENS ENTRY INTO HER CAPI.
TAIL, AND INAUGURATIoN-CHA
ACTERISTIC DUTCH SCENES
PARALLELS AND LINES
DTVEPCENNE

Amsterdam, September 6.
The essential features Of the Queens entry
into her capital and installation in the offices
Of sovereignty l have endeavored to sketch
broadly in cable letters. Such outlines can be
at best only expressionless silhouettes and need
to be filled out with local color and spirit
There Is no other country In Europe so con-
sstent as Holland The people are true 70
themselves In everything that they do The
Queens fete has been a characteristic Dutch
festival, which could not have occurred any.
where else in the world. The parallel between
Queen Nictorias coronation and Queen VIII.
helmina's Inauguration has beer a close one.
but there lave been many lines OF divergence
because the two nations are unlike In their
traits and characteristic qualities.
one Of the best descriptions Of Queen Viz.
torlas coronation was written by Felix Men
delssohn in private letter to an Intimate
friend. When the golden, farylike carriage
supported by tritoDs with their tridents and
surmounted by the great crown OF England
drove ~. and the graceful girl was seen how.
ing right and left while roar of cheer,n~
almost drowned bells trumpets and guns tho
sensitive musician confessed that he had N
pinch himself to make sure that II was nor all
a dream out Of the Arabian Nights" II was
a less brilliant cortege that made the circuit o.
Amsterdam's streets and bridges but there was
the same glimpse OF enthroned youthfulness
and grace to convince the spectator that the
touch Of romance had not yet faded out Of
the world: and there was the same spirit OF
enthusiasm among multitudes OF loyal sub
jects in the gayly decorated streets Gray.
bearded men looked on and fancied that they
were young again. for here was picture from
the ARABIAN Nights" Of a radiant young Queen
Welcomed everywhere with Joyful acclaim and
fervent affection, smiling graciously out Of ths
happiness Of a full heart. and holding potent
sway over the imaginations If her subjects.
WHERE THE LINES SEPARATE
The parallel is direct. but In details the lines
separate. The English have an admirable
talent for organizing and conducting public
functions. but they lack the artistic sense Of
this wonderful little Dutch nation. London is
not picturesque town. and Amsterdam. with
its high. gabed houses, water spaces and lines
Of shade trees lends itself to the scenic effects
OF popular fete; but 1t is the superiority Of the
Dutch color sense that explains the UNIQUE
beauty OF the decorations and staging here
There were sections OF the Queens Jubilee route
in London last year which were artistIcally
trimmed and adorned by combined effort Of
shopkeepers ard householders but IN the main
there was an inharmonous and confused jum-
bic OF colors and designs. Amsterdam this
week presents beautiful study Of color and
holiday decorations. Apparently there has
been preconcerted arrangement and sys-
tematic plan. Each householder has not been
allowed to act independently, and 10 fling out
at random his festoons OF evergreen, his
orange streamers, his national flags and his
strings OF Chinese lanterns and electric lights
There has been variety OF method and harmony
OF effect everywhere. Simple and homey is the
art and inexpensive the process, but there Is
hardly a street or a canal In the town which
Is not delight 70 the eve. No keen observer
can see Amsterdam in u, holiday attire with.
out being impressed with the artistic strain
which is in the Dutch blood
Perhaps the finest effects Of color were pro.
duced yesterday In broad WATERWAYS like the
Keizers- gracht and the Heeren-gracht. The
canals were filled with barges and boats
freighted with sightscers and ornamented with
banners and long streamers OF red blue and
orange. on each side was continuous line OF
trees. and the roaiways were blocked with
spectators. The tall houses were continuously
decorated with the brightest hues In endless
variety. and each roadway arched with
bunting. When the military parade was in
progress between the lines OF soldiers either
hand, there were harmonious decorative ef-
fect3 Of color such as were not witnessed last
year in London, brilliant was the cavalcade
OF princes and splendid as was the bearing Of
the picked body Of British regulars. The streets
here are brilliant by day and radiantly beauti-
full by night. when the old town is illuminated.
and with its myriad lights Is transformed into
O. magical Wonderland
CHARACTERISTIC DUTCH COSTUMES
All Amsterdam has been indeed filled with
life. movement and color. Every characteristic
type of Dutch costume was conspicuous in the
streets yesterday with single exception. This
was the pompously attired undertakers as
sistant, who ordinarily goes about in melancholy
state distributing invitations to funerals It
was not a good day for advertising anybody's
obsequles and this impressive functionary was
content to appear without his uniform among
the holiday throns.
As many as thirty typical Dutch costumes
could be identified. Fishermen and peasants
flom remote villages Of the little kingdom were
arrayei in their brightest raiment. The Noieh-
damers had left their boats and nets behlnd
tncH anu, WITH NHeif ptO'bu' pNSe'
ver-buttoned maroon Jackets. faring shirts ana
scarlet ties were among the showest figures oi
the fetes. The madens from picturesque MAJ
ken wore the whtest OF lace-embroidered caps
over their long curls with pendents HappNIs
about their ears and the spotless Handkerchief
which were loosely fastened over their Darn
Lodices rose and fell with the excitement Oh 'ne
Queens day. Their black skirts had been ie''
behind on the island. and they appeareu !"
their showiest blue gowns. bordered with pro""'
and in red or blue aprons; and their stocAHs'
we're either black or dark maroon Friesiahu
neasart women were crowned with their golden
skullcaps half hidden in lace; there were hSiIe'
to,l ,rom Zealand in knickerbockers tight-nt-
,,rc iocLats s,asbed IN front. and red shirts