494 



THE NETHERLANDS. 



German, and English, besides frequently possessing a knowledge of Latin and 

 Greek and of some oriental tongue. 



In matters of education Holland has allowed herself to be distanced by other 

 nations. Is this a sign of mental apathy and moral decay ? We hesitate to 

 answer this question in the affirmative. 



Govkrnme^;t. — Holland, as a constitutional state, presents the same features 

 as most other European monarchies. Formerly each town had its self-elected 



Fig. 283.— Railway Map of the Netherlands. 

 Scale 1 : 2,500,000. 



4" 'F oF Cr . 



. 25 Miles. 



" council of wise men," but now the burgomasters are appointed by the King, whilst 

 the Communal Council is elected by those citizens who, according to locality, pay 

 from 18s. to £6 13s. in direct taxes. The provinces are governed by commis- 

 sioners appointed by the King, whose authority is somewhat curtailed by the 

 Provincial Estates, elected by citizens paying £1 18s. to £13 7s. in taxes. The 

 same limited constituency elects the eighty members of the Second Chamber, 

 whilst the thirty-nine members of the Upper Chamber are nominated by the 



