The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-20
IN OLD HOLLAND
Years Bring Little Change In Aspect Of CniIntrY

BOSTON. Mass, Jan. 19.-Hattem is one of the few places in Holland where the aspect of streets and houses has undergone little change nj the last two hundred or three hundred years Here ancient customs finger and here the hustle of modern life if mot com pletely absent. touches lightly, the com plaisance of the .bllrghers," who gene ration after generation live in un- changed surroundings, a life of quiet composure, says the Christian Science Monitor. "
 In medieval times .Hattem was a famous stronghold or the River Yssel, branch of the Rhine. Seen from the river it presents a charming outline with it's one ramaining tower-gate, its high, red-tiled roofs, and its church spire thrusting upward to the blue sky. Part of tie ancient town wnll still stands and the remains of the moat which ouce surrounded it add to the impression of medievalism. | Seventeenth ceutnry Dutch art and architecture have made Holland famous the world over. The secret of their beauty lies in the sound sense of tn Dutch, who in htose bygone days made things strnightforwardly useful and pFucIiCuis OHCOtlSClOuSlS Iney lHSIllltu art into the works of their hands, an unpretentious art which found express sion in every object they made.
 Beauty of Past Age
 Hattem is still filled with hte beauty of that art, and the simplicity of it's inhabitants has done much to preserve it. What finer picture, for example, could he seen tan the old mill with its dark brown thatched roofs against the white-clouded sky, with patches of th purest azure, while in the foreground is set little old house with roof of an- cient red tiles, it's bluish white walls contrasting sharply with the messy cobbled pavement of the street. Was there ever such Il wonderful combina- ! tion of mellow colors? ! But while outwardly Hattem has altered little in the life of the com munity time has wrought many changes. The great patrician houses have changed owners; their aristocrat- ic residents have gone, and the peasants have entered into possession. These simple folk, unable to use all the spac- ious rooms, have, in those parts of the house they do not occupy themselves, lodged their most beloved possessions, their cows, and horses. One cannot say that this is strictly in accord with modern notions, but undoubtedly it adds to the picturesqueness of the place.
 Recently, while sketching, the writer entered tiny passage between two houses, so narrow that two people could hardly pass abreast, and saw, to her astonishment, d big cart horse of the heavy Belgian type walking along, his huge Hanks touching the walls on each side Presently the animal halted, q door opened, and peasant girl ap- peared with some bread. After q hearty meal. the horse quietly pro- ceeded on his way to the nearby meadow.
 The Bursher's "Schaar"
 More than spaciousness comments | the patricinn houses to their peasant owners. Since time immembrinl the town of IIattem has possessed large fertile meadows bordering the River Yssel. These meadows are excellent grazing grounds for the cattle, as the river yearly overflows and covers them with d good layer of ioam. Every ''Mlrgher' of Hattem has, with certain restrictions, the right to use these meadows. This right of pasturage, or
 II English "share"). belong to those pat ricinn houses. The smaller ones have one "schaur," that is the right of pas turuge for one COW or two he.ferS, but the larger houses have attached to them sevearl "schaars." The "sehaar" also gives the right tn portion of the community hay. This hay has to re- main within the walls of the city, otherwise the owner loses his right to share,
 The inhabitants of Hattem, at least the peasant portion, still dress in the costume of many centuries ago, mostly in austere black, the women coited with the picturesque white cap. Seeing them in ones of the narrow streets, hordered by quaint gabled houses. one may easily imagine oneself transplantcd back to the Middle Ages.