AMSTERDAM. 233 



none superior to those of the Boomptjes of Rotterdam. The 

 houses possessed by the French douaniers, which were 

 gutted at the commencement of the revolution in 1814, 

 still remain in a dismal state of ruin. The innocent Dutch 

 proprietors of these houses (one of them a widow lady) 

 have not hitherto, according to our information, received 

 any compensation from the new government. — In the har- 

 bour a style-mill*, or dredging machine, was at work. This 

 is a large square vessel, on board of which two horses are 

 employed in turning two wheels ; these are connected with 

 a train of scoop buckets, which sweep the bottom, and 

 then deliver their slimy contents into reservoirs. 



The quays and warehouses of the East India Company, 

 and also of the West India Company, had in former times 

 been respectable, and even yet they excite the admiration 

 of French and especially of German visitants ; but they 

 sink into insignificance when compared with corresponding 

 establishments on the Thames. Several of the streets are 

 adorned with rows of fine trees, chiefly elm, lime, and wal- 

 nut ; but there are here no splendid airy squares nor cir- 

 cuses, as in London and Edinburgh. In one place only 

 there is a curvature, approaching in character to our cres- 

 cents : it is called the Bogt f, and contains some of the best 

 houses in Amsterdam. 



We found it necessary to visit Hope's Bank, in order 

 to recruit our finances. We could procure no gold ; but 

 received rix-dalders and dalders, and were presented with 

 small bags to carry them in J. 



• Sleek, it may be remarked, is the common Scottish word for sludge. 



t Pronounced like our Scottish boucht or bught, and evidently the same 

 word. 



J As the Dutch coins are numerous, and rather embarrassing to stran- 

 gers, we shall mention those which we found to be most generally in circu- 



