9 



number of the wealthier classes have during the last fifty years 

 resorted, to spend an easy and agreable life. Especially in the 

 years from 1870 to 1890, A r n h e m has been the place of attract- 

 ion "par excellence" for such people, amongst whom were counted 

 a great number of "East-Indian Guests", i. e. Dutch people who 

 had made their fortunes in the Dutch East Indies on the 

 sugar-, tobacco-, coffee- and other plantations, and of which plant- 

 ations they were the proprietors still. Needless to say, the mag- 

 nificent environs; the numerous estates a little outside the city 

 which, with rare exceptions, are all open to visitors ; its situation 

 in one of the highest parts of Holland, with extensive Fir-and 

 other woods, which make it one of the healthiest spots in Hol- 

 land, greatly account for this influx and increase of population 

 since the middle of the last century. For, since 1848 when its 

 population numbered about 17.000, A r n h e m increased its inha- 

 bitants according to the last census to over 62.000. And this is not 

 due to the fact, that some new industry has been started somewhere 

 about A r n h e m, which naturally would have attracted a good many 

 outsiders, directly or indirectly interested in such an industry; but 

 it is to be considered as a regular and sound increase both by 

 births and influx. A r n h e m (Aernheim = Eagles' Home), situated 

 on the north bank of the Rhine, was first spoken of in history 

 in the 11th century as a mere borough founded by Count 

 Gerard II. In 1233 it was raised to the rank of a town with 

 town-rights by Otto III {with the horsefoot). Count of Guelre 

 and Z u t f e n, after which rise, its position as well as that of 

 its inhabitants soon altered for the better. As customary in 

 those times, A r n h e m had been fortified by means of walls, 

 ponds and forts, as may be seen from a bird's eye-view of it taken 

 early in the 17'h century, at which time everything in that respect 

 was looked upon as being complete. It had its 4 gates: Velper- 

 poort (Velp^ neighbouring village) ; St. J a n's p o o r t (St. 

 John's gate), Sabel's poort (Savel = Sand gate) and R ij n 

 p o o r t (River Rhine gate), all of which were built in the town's 

 walls of fortification. 



It was during the latter half of last century, that A rn h e m 

 underwent quite a metamorphosis, when all the walls, ponds and 

 gates, which encircled it and made it a fortified city, were pulled 

 down and done away with. This done, there was sufficient room 

 for its extension and embellishment. The place where in former 

 times were found both walls and ponds, and which the one after 



