100 THE HALL OF SHELLS. 
lage of gay and fashionable dwellings; but 
two miles from The Hague, yet as distinct and 
original as if from another continent. 
He led the little group to respect and ad- 
mire the sturdy industry and imdependence 
which wove such strong fiber in the characters 
of these secluded, oddly dressed, and extremely 
poor people. 
He told them how in the decline of the 
herring fishing, which had been their chief m- 
dustry, the people were not discouraged, but 
in rope spinning, weaving nets, gathering shells, 
selling fish, and the like, gaining but the scanti- 
est of living, were still brave and true, their 
very poverty invigorating their characters. 
How in eye and bearing they demand respect, 
and with dignity seem to say, “ We have 
need of none!” He told them of the sand 
dunes, and of the broad beach of hard sand, 
dotted over with tents and wickerlike chairs 
with woven covers, to shelter from the sun; of 
the unique arrangement for bathers; of the 
festivals and gayeties in which the flower of 
the aristocracy of Europe participate. 
When he had finished, and the children 
were busy upon the beach, he continued mus- 
ingly, half to himself and half to Miss 
Bremely : 
