1837-38 
LETTER FROM UTRECHT 
129 
the head precisely resembles that of the Oxford 
Museum specimen. . . . For all the Dutch 
peculiarities I see reason, the more I observe the 
conditions under which these worthy people exist. 
A sale or fade depressing odour pervades the 
country, at least at this season, arising from the 
stagnation of the canals ; and when the heat of the 
day no longer serves to retain in suspension the 
vapours of the canals and swamps, the foggy and 
chilly atmosphere at once explains the utility of a 
warm dry whiff of baccy ; the extra quantity of 
moisture inhaled equally demands the counter- 
action of a dram. A great proportion of the 
working people have the trunk bent like a quad- 
ruped at right angles to the legs, in the universal 
occupation of pushing along the innumerable 
boats of all shapes and sizes which cover the 
canals, by means of long poles pressed against 
from the breast and shoulder by the whole weight 
of the body and working of the hind-legs. . . . 
This morning I have visited Temminck, Professor 
V. d. Hoeven, and the museum ; dictated several 
notes to Cooper, who scribes capitally.’ 
Owen gave his address at Cologne, and in his 
next letter, dated Utrecht, September 10, 1838, 
continues the story of his travels : ‘ Here 
[Amsterdam] are several of the Dutch painters’ 
chefs-d'ceiivre — Dow, Wouvermans, Rembrandt, 
&c., &c., but I have a Catalogue with notes and 
marks to comment and descant on some fireside 
VOL. I. 
K 
