Middletown transcript., 1921-03-26
IN OLD ARNHE|M
Interesting and Beautiful City OF
Holland.
Estates That Remind the Visitor OF
the Arabian Nights. and at the
Last, Dinner at Real
Dutch Inn.

Perhaps the most interesting city
in Holland Is Arnheim, the chief cen
ter of Guelderland, near the German
border. It is on the north branch OF
the Rhine. in the midst Of pleasant
and fertile district, and is the spot
selected by the wealthy nabobs, who
made vast fortunes in the East In
dies, for their homes and estates
when they retired to enjoy their
wealth.
In laying out these estates, each
owner We'd with his neighbor to ex-
eel him in identifying and adorntng
his home. All the skill Of gardeners
and architects and builders was taxed
to the utmost to produce delightful
and surprising effects in roads, forests,
lakes, bridges, fountains, gardens,
houses and vistas-so that it became
a real fairyland in which one would
think the Arabian Nights had been
realized. For instance, as the old
head gardener conducted us about
one Of these estates, he brought US
suddenly to a small lake. and there
in the middle Of 1t, without any road
to reach 1t, was the castle of the pro-
prietor, curious medieval-looking
pile, copy Of some ancient place that
had pleased his fancy. Passing along
under the great copper beech trees,
we shortly came to stream across
which from bank to bank hung little
swinging suspension bridge Of slaves
With dash at full run, the old guide
sped across the bridge and then
turned with a smile to see us follow.
AS there was no crossing except on
the run, we accepted the challenge
and our party Of four all made it in
safety, except one. who fell at the
farther bank amid the gibes and
laughter Of the rest. Ten rods farther
we came to terrace beautifully
ornamented with white marble stat
ues, steps and vases. At the bottom
was q pavement Of a fourth Of an
acre, in white and black marble
blocks, each twenty inches square.
We were directed to walk across
this pavement, and when near the cen
ter, the gardener slyly stepped upon a
secret spring, which sent up jet Of
water at each corner Of every little
square-hundreds Of little columns of
clear water-at first foot, then two.
then three feet high, and we, huddled
in surprise, each in his twenty-inch
square, were tristing and turning, to
escape a wetting. So there were sur.
prises of bisque birds and clay ami.
mails at unseen corners-fgures that
you would suppose at first were alive
and just about to eat you alive. Then
the charming vistas that opened
through the shrubbery across the
ponds-the long magnificent tunnels
Of verdure and color made by the
driveways, arched with the glorious
copper beeches-the groups Of figures
Illustrating national legends or history
you could see q hundred Busch's
gardens. laid out long ago, about
quaint old Arnheim.
And when we came back to the
hOlCl LII tO"u, ~ was IAC lttAiouo OS
Pauw Cor Peacock) inn, which has
been over three hundred years in con.
tinuous use as hotel. And as we
came into the long, curious dining.
room and saw, for the first time,
real Dutch table, loaded with all kinds
Of meats, fish, eggs, cheese, vegetables,
fruit and pastries we clapped OUT
hands with delight for it was no piece
meal affair, but 1t was abundance
and help yourself" original and
generous and welcome Dutch cafe
terra.
After a night Of quiet rest in tina!
clean and charming hostelry, we went
our way next morning with recollec-
lions Of Arnheim that will give pleas
ure while we live.-Los Angales
Times