The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-03

eision the plats. separated by canals and rows of trees at right angles and even houses of precisely uniform construction are shown before the water has been re- moved from the land
 It is now proposed 70 thus redeem the Builder Zee, an arm of the North sea, into huge lagoon and converting 1000 square miles of it into a polder at cost of ss5.- 0o0,oo
 Holland is the land of canals, and 1t must be remembered that these water ways serve a threefold purpose-high- roads for traffic, drains for the surplus water that falls inland and enclosures or boundry lines for houses. gardens and fields taking the place filled by walls, fences and hedges in other countries. They are generally broader than other canals, observe no regularity of width and possess but few locks. which the uniform level of water renders unnecessary.
 They are charming as method of travel and I have spent entire days floating as it were lazlly through the land, going ashore during the stopping of the boat at the various villages and observ- Ing closely the habits of the people and customs of the country.
 The only drawback to the pleasure of such a trip is the lack of knowledge of the almost barbarous language of the land. However. my German helped me considerably and I was able to detect a few rays of light straying through such beclouded sentences 'Ik gal morgen om zeven ure vortrekken' and "Het is kwa- tier over drieen." A man is addressed as We edele." young lady as ''mejuf- frouw' and married woman as "meu- rouw-" While I have many charming friends and acquaintances in Holland | am delighted that they all speak English or French.
 While I shall say something of the Netherland cities, it is in the villages, as in all countries, that one obtains the best view of the characteristic features of the land. All of the roads between towns are lined with trees and consequently are shady and cool. The Dutch houses are narrow and often tall, but they are all ''self-contained," as living in flats or apartments is practically unknown there. Frequently the beams of the edifce pro- ject from the gables and are employed AoA iStih6 6oouS to iiie up StOTy or loft, which is used as a magazine of stor- age. At the cellar doors upon the side streets are to be seen innumerabe signs bearing the words water envuur te koop" (water and fire to selD, meaning that boiling water and fire turf are there sold to the poorer classes for the prepara- tion of tea or coffee. In fact the towns are full of signs. When anyone is sick within the custom prevails of affixing bulletins to the front door of the house in order that friends may be apprised of the state of the patients health without knocking or ringing. The birth of a child is announced by means of a small placard adorned with real silk and lace and callers upon such occasions are usually enter tained with refreshments consisting of mild wine and cinnamon cake. At we'd sugar" and the accompanying spiced wine sugar. and tn accompanying spiced wine as bridal tears.
 By studying the business signs one may learn much despite his ignorance of the language. Over every drug store Is to be found a painted Turks or Moor's head; a large gilded crown suspended beneath the Dutch flag announces that fresh her ring has just been received inside and a gilded spider announces that scrubbing washing and polishing materials are han dled. The fondness for displaying signs is carried to the country and every hand some rural home has it's name most con