VMSTEUDAM. 239' 



on the garden in greater quantity : they then not only help 

 to keep the surface of the soil damp (an object of great 

 importance in a light sandy soil, and under a hot sun), 

 but attract and preserve much carbonic acid. When old 

 garden soils are overloaded with rich mould (terreau), or 

 where too frequent manurings have been given for a series 

 of years, stale ashes are found the best restorative of the 

 soil to a due state of sharpness and activity. 



Water. 



That fuel should be rather scarce and dear at Amster- 

 dam, might be expected ; but, surrounded and intersected 

 by canals as the city is, it seems odd that another of the 

 necessaries of life, pure water, should be a still scarcer 

 commodity. Yet such is the case. There is no water 

 fit for culinary purposes but what is brought by boats 

 from the Vecht, a distance of fifteen miles ; and limpid 

 water from Utrecht, more than twice that distance, is 

 now sold in the streets by gallon measures, for table use, 

 and for making of tea and coffee. 



In taking leave of Amsterdam, we may remark, that aiv 

 amusing and lively account of this capital, its public insti- 

 tutions, society, painters, &c. may be found in a small vo- 

 lume, entitled, " Voyage par la Hollande," published by 

 a French visitant in 1806. This is probably the most re- 

 cent sketch of Amsterdam. But, with the exception of 

 the conversion of the Stadt-House into a King^s Palace, and 

 the establishment of the Societies above mentioned, its ge- 

 neral aspect and character have undergone little change for 

 a century past; insomuch that " Le Guide d 1 Amsterdam," 

 published by Paul Blad in 1720, may be regarded as 

 forming a correct and useful pocket-companion at the 



