The evening times., 1899-11-27

enjoying the usual normal condition that
is so characteristic of this miniature Ia
ton. The South African war has converted
the slew Dutch burgher into feverish and
anxious bulletin board reader. The popu-
lation in general is very Outspoken against
Great Britain, but the government main
tains a deep silence OF neutrality to such
an extent that today the war minister re-
fused to order cut the national band for
a concert in aid of funds for the Beers.
Yet at the same time Hollands Queen and
advisers are wishing in their prayers god
speed to Dom Paul and his followers.
"A popular subscription is new going on;
each house is visited by an authorized uni
formed agent. and every man, woman. and
child in Holland is expected TO contribute
toward the expense of the Transvaal war.
1t is the general European impression at
this writing that within three months an
ether colonial empire will be in course of
formation akin to Canada: that the now
several scattered bits of land will be
as a whole to the general good OF all AZ
rikanders and another step in the ladder
of civilization gained.
This petite nation has brave and glori-
Gus credentials to present even in these
days of colossal achievements and diplo-
matte intrigue and absorption. So that
one must stop and wonder in admiration
and grant in all fairness that a people that
can turn water into soil, and produce, in
philosophy, in letters. in arts. in military
and naval science. such names as Spinoza.
Rembrandt. William of Nassau, William OF
Orange. Tromp. and Ruyter. must produce
men and women of no mean calibre, with
whom one should think twice before cross
ing blades.
the Holander The word "boer" means
here in Holland what in the States is CALI
ed 'countryman." and in Great Britain and
Europe peasant Until the clash with
the foreign element the Beers in South At
rica have never shown any feeling of fra
ternal regard for their fatherland, and. be-
ing deeply republican and democratic in
their affairs. the oil of republic did not
mingle congenially with the waters of
royal government.
'Springtime is the proper time to visit
Holland. The vast fields of tulips and other
Dutch bulbs in bloom are SO vast and beau
tiful that once seen can never be forgotten.
The entire crop of bulbs is enormous and
all countries depend on Holland for their
spring bulbs. Dutch cheese and Holland
gin penetrate every corner of the CONNER
cial world and furnish the bulk of trade
from these ports.
IF cleanliness is Godliness. then the
Hollanders are booked for perpetual hap
piness hereafter. for if the female is not
born with a scrubing brush in one hand
she soon learns to use one. and the inside
and outside of the home receives the daily
rub that delights the eye of the tidy
housekeeper. There are but two days a
week set aside for marriage. Tuesday and
Thursday. and the driver of the bridal car
riage always ties large bouquet of flowers
to his whip. 1t is a custom of many years.
Holland is indeed brave little nation
and her history from before. during, and
after the crusade demands the most promi-
nent pages in history. and the most pro-
found respect OF governing statesmen OF
today From the waters of the sea and
sound they converted waste into one of
the most beautiful countries in the world;
peaceful, rich, and content to live five feet
below the level of the sea, protected by
their windmills and dikes, beautified by
thousands of acres of flowers. fearing God
and minding their own business"
The Strassburg Clock.
Writing from Berlin. Mr.. Parrish says:
"If the seven wonders of the world as clas-
sified by the ancients. had been counted at
a later period, say in the year of 1852,
doubtless the astronomical clock in the
Cathedral at Strassburg, Alsace, would have
been enumerated as one of the wonders of
mankind. But the famous clock enjoys
much more useful celebrity than being one
Of the seven wonders, to exist only in the
musty vapor of ancient history distorted by
bad dreams of faulty historians; it exists
today useful article of dormant, and
in these days Of gigantic and fairy-like in
vention the clock at Straasburg stands out
! in bold relief as one Of the most notable
products of man.
The present clock is not the one of 1852
The first one built took two years to finish;
it was of wood and designed in three parts.
the lower one was universal calendar, in
the middle was an astrolabe, and at the top