474 THE NETHERLANDS. 



promise, but fast to keep. It takes long before be can make up bis mind, but, 

 once resolved upon a certain course of action, be puts bis sboulder to tbe wbeel 

 witbout an after-tbougbt. His common sense is strong, but perbaps be is a trifle 

 too metbodical, and too mucb attacbed to ancient ways. Usually silent and con- 

 templative, be nevertbeless is anytbing but unbappy, and wben be goes in for 

 amusement be does so boisterously and witb all bis beart. 



Amongst all Dutcb virtues cleanliness is perbaps tbat wbicb most strikes 

 tbe foreign visitor, wbo is surprised at tbe scouring, scrubbing, and wasbing 

 tbat go on from early morn to sunset. In a bumid climate like tbat of Holland 

 cleanliness is no doubt most essential to bealtb, but it is occasionally carried to 

 an extreme. Stables are kept witb tbe same care as a drawing-room, and even 

 tbe cow's tail is tied up by a string suspended to tbe roof, in order tbat tbe 

 animal may not soil its glossy flanks. Some of tbe villages look almost as if 

 tbey bad been taken out of a toj-box, and tbe trees bave not only to submit 

 to being clipped into unnatural sbapes, but are also occasionally painted, to suit 

 tbe fancy of tbe owner. Art, indeed, cannot be said to preside over tbese domestic 

 arrangements of tbe Dutcb. Tbe appearance of tbe towns is original, no doubt, 

 witb boats passing along tbe streets ; and tbe red-brick bouses balf concealed 

 bebind foliage are curious to look at, but tbey are anytbing but beautiful. 



Old national costumes survive in several parts of tbe country. At tbe very 

 gates of tbe capital tbe fishermen wear long-tailed coats of blue clotb and beavy 

 wooden sboes. More picturesque is tbe dress of tbe Zealanders, consisting of 

 breecbes beld up by a silver-buckled belt, a red embroidered waistcoat witb large 

 filigree buttons, and a black velvet jacket. Amongst women old fasbions retain 

 tbeir bold longest, and tbose of Hindeloopen, until recently, wore gorgeous 

 dresses, diflering curiously according to tbe age and social status of tbe wearer 

 Most of tbe servant-girls in towns adbere to tbe flowery or violet-striped calico 

 dresses, apparently prescribed for tbem centuries ago. 



Yery curious are tbe bead-dresses of tbe women, consisting of plates of gold 

 fastened to tbe temples, and a variety of otber ornaments. Tbese beavy bead- 

 dresses, wbicb cause premature baldness, would bave been given up long ago, if 

 it were not for tbe sake of appearances, for are tbey not an outward sign of tbe 

 wearer's wealtb ? Yet, poor girls find it easy enougb to procure imitation 

 jewellery, and tbe time is not, perbaps, very distant wben tbe cbignon will usurp 

 tbe place of tbe golden belmet. 



Conservative in tbeir habits of thought, tbe Hollanders have more and more 

 withdrawn from intercourse witb their neighbours. Tbey no longer live the 

 life of tbe world around tbem, and instead of taking the lead, as was their wont, 

 they rather lag behind. Whatever the proverb may say, Holland would be all 

 the happier for having a little more history. 



