100 THE HALL OF SHELLS. 



lage of gay and fashionable dwellings; but 

 two miles from The Hague, yet as distinct and 

 original as if from another continent. 



He led the little group to respect and ad- 

 mire the sturdy industry and independence 

 which wove such strong fiber in the characters 

 of these secluded, oddly dressed, and extremely 

 poor people. 



He told them how in the decline of the 

 herring fishing, which had been their chief in- 

 dustry, the people were not discouraged, but 

 in rope spinning, weaving nets, gathering shells, 

 selling fish, and the like, gaining but the scanti- 

 est of living, were still brave and true, their 

 very poverty invigorating their characters. 

 How in eye and bearing they demand respect, 

 and with dignity seem to say, " We have 

 need of none ! " He told them of the sand 

 dunes, and of the broad beach of hard sand, 

 dotted over with tents and wickerlike chairs 

 with woven covers, to shelter from the sun ; of 

 the unique arrangement for bathers; of the 

 festivals and gayeties in which the flower of 

 the aristocracy of Europe participate. 



When he had finished, and the children 

 were busy upon the beach, he continued mus- 

 ingly, half to himself and half to Miss 

 Bremely : 



