Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-02-17

fertile pastures. In 1910 Ma
poleon annexed Hulland to. his empire,
declaring that ahe was "in the nature
OF things but portion OF France" and
the Dutch Republic was at an end.
But whenever that republic ia named
one figure springs into the mental
vision, shining with the brightest lustre
against a background of heroes. the
figure of William the Silent, he who
through series OF rsverses arrived at
perfect victory, who planted full
com monwealth under the very batteries
of the Inquisitipn in detance of the
most powerful empire existing; ne
who was a conqueror in the loftiest
sense for he conquered liberty and ma
tional existence for whole people.
In courage under disaster, in love Of
| justice, In devotion TO duty, in the
purity of his patriotism he 10 the only
ruler 10 the world'e history who can be
compared to our own Washington.
Mrs. f. L, Stone followed with a
graphic account OF Dutch customs.
The Dutch streets seem strangely quiet,
only stray carriage or two, here
and there dogs harnessed to carts aud
dragging heavy loads. Tho ever present
canal reminds US that we are in city
built on water. 1t is owing to this I'M
stable foundation that como OF the
houses loan forward as IL engaged in
confidential discourse across the narrow
street and others slope backwards as if
their dignity had bsen aEronted. The
| Dutch houses are like their occupants
compactIy and solidly built. The
foundations ure piles 10 feet long. sunk
through The mud, and this il SO eIpen-
sire that many foundations, hundreds
OF years old, are built on again. On
the piles rest heavy platforms Of planks
from which Iiso wallA OF stone or brick,
so firmly built that it ia impossible to
| shakv them down. Each house stands
detached from its neighbor and no
matter how poor has its flowers and
clean lace curtains Over the dur ia
the little spy mirror by which the lady
of the house, herself unseen, can survey
the paasers- by.
Cleanliness is part Of their religion.
Early in the morning everything under
goes thorough publication. Maids.
ruddy and broad, for there is no
elighting Of propUriioDs in the Dutch
anatomy, are seen mopping and scrub
blng. Nowhere else are there sn many
implements for cleaning from bruoms of
all size1 tn touthpicks TO dig out the
grass and hoys hired to blow the dust
from between the bricks. Though tle
houses are clean and comfortable,
nothing is dainty or cosy; no easy
chairs no couches, pillow piled. The
rooms look bare, but are full uf sur
prises, cupboHrds are cunningly con
cealed in the walls. apparent walls
prove to be draperies; rare and beauti
full china is hidden away. y
Women are not treated with as much
courtesy aH here. Men smoke every
where in tho house aud at all times.
The fact that boatmen on the canals
measure distance by smokes show how
universal is the habit. They say il
ia SO many pipes, not 30 many miles
10 certain place. The art OF skating
seems born with the Dutch and the
placid quiet Holland girl becomes all
animation on the ice and marvel oil
grace and beauty. When any one is i'll
bulletin 10 posted on tho door, 81
there is no necessity for friends TO eptei
the house, a custom worth adopting.
The Dutch change nothing from caprice
and must have very good reason fol
altering any custom ut their fore
Mrs. L. G. Vandegrift added to thil
account Of Dutch manners a statement
made by Dutch gentleman who re-
} Gently visited at her home. lie said il
Holland, among the upper classes nj
woman could keep her social position, Of
be received in good society who earneC
her own living.