LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 71 



brated naturalists as those of Leyden do not see their error in 

 adhering to the old way of preparing specimens, or, seeing it, do not 

 try to improve it. Their own knowledge of nature, and their innate 

 powers of perception, ought to give them strong hints that the usual 

 way of mounting specimens in zoology is unsound, and ought to be 

 abandoned, and that some other plan must absolutely be adopted 

 ere a single sample can be produced that would stand the test of 

 scientific examination. The bird, with fresh-looking feathers on a 

 shrunk and shapeless pinion ; the quadruped, whose nose is dwindled 

 into half its size; and the serpent, wrong at every fold, had far better 

 be exhibited as mere skins, than be presented to public view bereft 

 of every feature they possessed in life. As skins, at all events, we 

 could look upon them with composure, and leave the room without 

 disappointment. 



" The change of religion in Holland threw its magnificent churches 

 sadly into the background, and there they have remained ever since. 

 Nothing can exceed the nudity and gloom of the great church in 

 Haarlem, where the famous organ, that paragon of melody, is said to 

 surpass every other organ in the known world. Whilst I was listen- 

 ing to its varied sounds, I thought of a nightingale pouring forth its 

 own sweet song in an unfrequented hayloft. There is not a single 

 pious ornament left in this church. The walls seemed damp and 

 mouldy; and a ship or two in miniature, probably mementoes of 

 some great naval victory, are seen suspended in the vast and vaulted 

 void. But whatever may be the notions of these honest people 

 concerning the value of holy objects to assist the mind of man 

 during the time of his devotions, they have done everything for the 

 comfort of the body throughout the whole extent of their country. 

 Hence we see in Holland as fine country-houses, as lovely gardens, 

 as well-regulated hotels, and as comfortable cottages, as any flesh 

 and blood on earth can possibly wish for. I like the Dutch. I 

 know of no country in Europe where human institutions appear to 

 be upon a better footing. We ephemeral travellers, in passing 

 through a country like butterflies on a sunny day, merely flutter over 

 this flowery bank, or sip a drop of nectar on that lily at the side of 

 the road ; but I am persuaded, if we tarried in Holland for a 

 sufficient length of time, and became acquainted with the chiefs of 



