770 



HOLLAND. 



the operations of trade and industry. The manufactures are still considerable, and consist ol 

 woolen, linen, silk, cotton, tobacco, snuff, pipes, leather, &c. The distillation of gin is largely 

 carried on. 



15. Fisheries. The herring fishery has been prosecuted on a large scale by the Dutch, ever 

 since the 12th century ; the art of curing and barreling these fish was discovered here in 1316. 

 In the middle of the ISth century, the business employed 100,000 fishermen. At present, 

 there are in Holland and Belgium 20,000 families and 200 busses in occupation. The whale 

 fishery is also prosecuted, but on a small scale, and with little success. 



16. Inhabitants. The Dutch are hardy, and can endure much labor and fatigue. The 

 complexion of the females is not to be surpassed in clearness, but their forms are not universally 

 distinguished for lightness. There are some Germans and Jews settled in Holland. The no- 

 bility are numerous, but not always rich. 



17. Dress. The national dress is not much liable to the fluctuation of fashion ; it is nearly 

 Ue same as it was in the time of the duke of Alva. People of the higher class follow the 

 French fashions, but the peasantry dress in a peculiar manner. The men have jackets, and 



Villager of Gueldcrs, Countrywoman of Guclders. Bride of Marken. 



breeches of great capaciousness ; they wear many huge buttons on their dress, and both sexes 

 have wooden shoes. The females in common life wear close caps and long-waisted gowns ; 

 the female peasantry wear short petticoats with very long waists, and their dress is much padded 

 and stuffed. There are many different costumes in the different districts. 



18. Language. The general and written language is the Dutch, which is derived from the 

 German ; the Frisian is a dialect of the Dutch, used in some of the northern parts. The 

 Dutch merchants generally are familiar with several languages. 



19. jS'Ianner of Building. The architecture of the cities is neat and imposing ; the ends 

 of the houses are often placed towards the street, and the walls are filled with ornaments. The 

 country houses are stiff and formal ; they have frequently a motto over the gateway or front. 

 The new buildings are few, but many old ones bear over their doors the date of the 14th or 

 15th century. The 1st of May is the time when tenants remove from houses ; a practice com- 

 mon in New York, and which has there a Dutch derivation. At the windows in cities, are 

 large glasses, so placed at angles with others, that they reflect the passengers in the street to 

 the unobserved scrutiny of the parlor. 



20. Food and Drink. A great part of the food of the common people consists in potatoes, 

 Ealt meat, and fish. The garden vegetables are excellent and abundant. Raw gin is a universal 



