324 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-XXIII 



decorated, many of the ornaments and paintings haying 

 been placed there in the time of De Witt. 



June 27. 



At all sorts of work during the morning, and then, 

 on invitation of President Low, went with the other mem 

 bers of the delegation to Haarlem, where we saw the 

 wonderful portraits by Frans Hals, which impressed 

 me more than ever, and heard the great organ. It has 

 been rebuilt since I was there thirty-five years ago; but 

 it is still the same great clumsy machine, and very poorly 

 played, that is, with no spirit, and without any effort 

 to exhibit anything beyond the ordinary effects for which 

 any little church organ would do as well. 



In the evening dined with Count Zanini, the Italian 

 minister and delegate, and discussed French matters with 

 Baron d Estournelles. He represents the best type of 

 French diplomatist, and is in every way attractive. 



Afterward to Mr. van Karnebeek s reception, meet 

 ing various people in a semi-satisfactory way. 



June 29. 



In the morning, in order to work off the beginnings of 

 a headache, I went to Rotterdam and walked until noon 

 about the streets and places, recalling my former visit, 

 which came very vividly before me as I gazed upon the 

 statue of Erasmus, and thought upon his life here. No 

 man in history has had more persistent injustice done 

 him. If my life were long enough I would gladly use 

 my great collection of Erasmiana in illustrating his ser 

 vices to the world. To say nothing of other things, the 

 modern &quot; Higher Criticism &quot; has its roots in his work. 



June 30. 



Engaged on the final revision of my Grotius speech, 

 and on various documents. 



At noon to the &quot; House in the Wood&quot; for lunch, and 

 afterward took a walk in the grounds with Beldiman, the 



