Photo by M. L. Alillard 



A scene; on markun island 



Situated in the Zuyder Zee, the Island of Marken is inhabited almost exclusively by 

 fishermen and their families. Their gaily colored costumes ; their manners, which have 

 remained unchanged through centuries ; and their houses, which possess striking tiled roofs, 

 and which are connected by narrow embankments paved with the tiles, give the place a charm 

 that makes it popular as an excursion point from Amsterdam and other cities. 



linen and wearing straw hats with col- 

 ored bands, carrying a long boat-like 

 tray, with handles on either side, sup- 

 ported from the shoulders by straps. On 

 these trays, piled in pyramidal form, rest 

 from 60 to 80 four-pound cheese balls. 

 Two men carry each tray, raising the 

 load just high enough to clear the ground, 

 and swing it along to the scales in the 

 weigh-house. Then they carry it to the 



packet, which will deliver the cargo to 

 the warehouses, to be consigned to all 

 parts of the world. These yellow cheeses 

 have a world-wide reputation as a table 

 delicacy, and while known as the Edam 

 cheese, from the little town a few miles 

 distant, comparatively few of the spheres 

 are produced there. 



The old Groote Kerk, erected in 1470, 

 occupies a prominent corner in Alkmaar 



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