Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-13
Holland.

~ AR across the water beyond the
home Of the English is a small
country Of a wonderfully brave peo-
pie. At one time the greedy sea wash
ing over the lowlands of Holland used
to carry much Of it's land into the water.
The people there were too WISE though,
to allow this to go on forever. SO hun
dreds Of years ago they began building
high solid banks along the shores to keep
back the angry waters. Much of the
most fertile lands Of these Dutch people
is very marshy and lower than the sea,
but as long as the strong bikes built
along the shores are well kept the Sea
can do no harm.
Thousands OF men watch these walls
day and night, for they know one little
leak might cause miles of country to be
flooded and many homes to be washed
away. Were II not for the canals which
run here and there all over this beautiful
land Of flowers the country would be un-
drained and so marshy that It would be
of no use for homes nor farms. Some
times there Is SO much water to be drain
ed of that the canals cannot hold 1t all.
so everywhere about the busy little coun-
try the wooden shoed people have built
windmills to pump the surplus water
into the sea-
Usually when we travel we ride In
street cars, but the Dutch boys and girls
ride in the canal boats. In the spring
all through the country the gardens and
fields are gay with tulips. daffodils. hya-
cinths and different bulb flowers which
grow in greater varieties and more plen-
tifully in Holland than in any place in
the world. At one time there was none
of these flowers in the Dutch homes. but
the crusaders returning from Asia
brought back home bulbs and seeds OF
the priced blossoms. In no place in all
Europe is there such cheese made as in
Holland The marshy pasture lands are
what is needed for the thousands Of cows
which are carefully tended by the Dutch
farmers. Milk. butter and cheese are the
chief food of the people as well as their
principal market product. The people OF
Holland are known by their love of hard
working. The women seem always to be
cleaning, for they even wash the outsides
Of their houses and scrub their pave
ments to keep them spotless. Many OF
the Dutch people leave their wooden shoes
at the door before entering the house. for
the red brick polished floors are kept
shining like glass. In the best homes
there is much heavy oak furniture beauti-
fully carved.
The large Dutch clock is the pride of
the family. for often ii is handed down
through many generations. The show
beds kept for company are very interest
Ing, 1OT tney are DEUS Dulil lfltO Tie Wdiis
and made up with the finest linen en-
broidered and trimmed with rich lace.
The heavy curtains hanging in front OF
them keep every particle of dust out. so
that their dainty finery might not be
spoiled. In the living room the side
boards and shelves are beautified by rare
old delft china. The shining copper and
brass mugs and pewter platters also help
decorate these rooms. Even in the kitch-
en- the jugs and many dishes are of brass
and copper which must be rubbed after
every using. The beautiful silver is SO
well taken care Of that II is not used
every day. In some parts OF Holland the
people are extremely poor. so have very
humble houses. Their dress is coarse and
plain, but in the more prosperous sections
of the country the women's costumes are
very rich and extravagant. At one time
the people of one district had so much
wealth that the women there wore close
fitting bonnets of solid gold. Many are
still seen. but they are partly covered by
spotless linen and lace.