284 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



depot and training-school for recruits in the Dutch 

 East Indian army, styled an unruly and violent class of 

 youths they seemed quiet enough at the time I was 

 there was formerly c the shepherds' refuge,' whence 

 its name. When the Zuyder Zee extended itself 

 beyond its actual limits, the wide meadows on its 

 borders were sometimes suddenly flooded, and the 

 shepherds with their flocks had to seek in higher 

 ground a shelter against the encroaching waters. . 

 They built several huts, and were soon joined here by 

 the fishermen. In 1229 the shepherds' refuge, become 

 by the grace of Count Otho the town of Harderwyk, 

 held rivalry with Hamburg. 1 



It has now chiefly a seafaring population. As one 

 wanders by the shore of what here looks boundless as an 

 ocean, the seamen of the one or two vessels which at most 

 enter the little port together, larking among themselves, 

 alone ruffle the tranquillity of the scene, a peaceful 

 Dutch landscape of a low coastline, a few trees, roofs, 

 and a little jetty set on the verge of an expanse of 

 lustrous silver sea, flushed with the pink after-glow of 

 day. Only an occasional fanfaron from the East Indian 

 military depot wakens faint melancholy echoes round 

 the quiet shore. The turf near the sea is rosy-lilac with 

 the thrift, as if reflecting the tender pink of the sky. 



The academic quiet was as deep when Linnaeus 

 paced up and down here in thought. He had cause 

 for thought if not for anxiety. He tells us himself: 2 

 1 Havard. 2 Diary. 



