The National tribune., 1909-12-30

tWaS keen ABOUT IL. ms palace was
built at the very hight of Amsterdam s
financial greatness, when the old burgo-
masters were little short of Kings them
selves, and was intended for a town
hall. 1t cost the city 100000 forms,
and as one form is equal to 40 cents in
our money, you can calculate its cost
in American dollars if you feel SO in
'clined. Eight million forms was a
pile of money to spend on one building
in the 10th century, but one can easily
see where it went in going thru the
magnificent rooms. 1t was where King
Louis Napoleon lived when his high
handed brother, Napoleon 1, forced
him unwillingly upon an unwilling peo-
pie as their King. The great Napoleon
looked out well for his family, what
ever else he did not do. The history of
this spirited little country is so splendid
and interesting that / am powerfully
tempted to go into it a little, but I re-
frain. If you want to read anything
which will give it to you in the most
fascinating way, try Motley's Rise and
Fall of the Dutch Republic"
We were shown thru the palace by
jolly-faced Dutchman, whose English
pronunciation was very funny and who
was quite a joker. The walls of the
immense halls and many of the rooms
were lined with Carara marble, beauti-
fully carved, which gave an air of great
richness. Large pictures depicting
scenes in Hollands history greeted the
eye at every turn. The throne room
had beautiful slender Carara marble
pillars. around which twined a wreath
of delicate silver flowers. The battle
flags which hung from the ceiling, now
cOlorleSS rags, were trophies taken
from the Spaniards and Indians. The
Queens throne was very handsome,
decorated with two brass lions and a
had no lions and his crown was minus
a sparkler. In this room was also an
exquisitely carved mantle. The yellow
tea room was very lovely, its walls hung
with yellow brocade, filled with gold
furniture, which was covered with lin
en-, but which the good-natured guide
lifted to show us the gold and white
tapestry underneath. Most of the wo-
men in the party sat all over that room,
on all the chairs and sofas, so as to be
sure they had actually occupied the
same seat filled by Wilhetmina or her
mother. the ex-Queen Emma. Each of
the many rooms was most beautiful,
made SO by the profusion of rich carv-
ing, pictures, etc, but the ball room,
which the guide reserved for the last,
provoked a prolonged "Oh" of delight
from the entire party when its doors
were opened for us. This was a very
large room, said to be the largest hall
in Europe, with the most exquis te
crystal chandeliers you can possibly
imagine. They looked exactly like lace,
the crystals were so small, and were
too beautiful and dainty for words.
Lighted, the room must be a dream.
This room is specially rich in the carved
marble which line its sides, and is
sometimes used as a dining-room on
state occasions. Looking at the build
ing from the outside, which is exactly
like a plain town hall. standing as it
does directly in the open market place
with no fine. impressive front entrance
tyou enter from the back thru a small
ordinary door,, one is amazed, almost
stunned by the richness and beauty of
its interior. On the front of the build
ing Is a small balcony, from which the
Queen shows herself to her devoted
subjects.
And they are devoted, all right. 1t
is really quite touching to hear the peo-
pie speak of their Queen. They did not
want her to marry a German Prince,
which she did (the Dutch do not like
the Germans any too WELD, but they
speak kindly of their King. Her mother
IS German. you know, and that fact
probably influenced her somewhat when
she selected her royal mate. But their
beloved Queen they would talk about
all night If you would listen to them:
and, my, how they prime themselves on
the fact that she nourishes the little
Princess herself. i think this young
lady must be taking her bread crumbled
up in milk now, for she is old enough,
II L mistake not, but she did derive her
sole nourishment from her royal mother
Tor many months. Elizabeth and I
would smile at each other the moment
a Dutchman or woman began to speak
OF the Queen, for we knew perfectly
well that this remark about the baby's
nourishment would come before long.
ana we were never mistaken. But 1t is
all very lovely, and we delighted to hear
their warm, loyal praise of the woman
VINO rules them with SO gentle a hand.
But, gracious me, how long this LEFT
ter is getting to be, and 1 haven't told
you half want to. We leave here for
brussels In an hour, arriving in that
city at 1880 this evening. We expect
TO be there about a week Your Aunt
r. VIII join me in Brussels, and remain
with me till sail for home. OF course.
I'm anticipating very great. pleasure in
seeing and being with her, for. Won
know, she has been living abroad for
~ years. and only home on one mean
little visit in all that time.
FaVorite Niece. the mystery of the