gars are therefore looked upon by the natives as lawless vagabonds. They did not fail to visit the statue of the celebrated Erasmus, it stands upon an arch crossing a canal, and is nearly ten feet high. It was erected in the Year 1622, and is the chef-d'œuvre of Henry de Keiser, a cèlebrated statuary and architect. The cathedral of St. Lawrence, which is the finest church in this city, is used upon various occasions independent of those for which it was erected, for, to the surprize of our travellers, they were informed, that during the fairs, booths were erected in it.

"I wish, Sir," said Edward, who was a little chagrined at receiving the spray of a nimbly twirled mop; "that the Dutch ladies would pay a little more attention to their persons, and less to their houses. It really is quite annoying."

What, a citizen of the world," replied the Doctor, "and annoyed at the cleanliness of the Dutch! And I am sure, although the scrubbing ladies are not particularly neat, yet their mistresses are the patterns for every thing that is nice. But, do you know, Edward, that this over and above cleanliness which has offended you so much, originated in necessity. The air of Holland, from the lowness of the soil, and the damp which arises from the innumerable canals that in every direction intersect Holland, would soon cover those bright door knockers, with rust, would also cover the walls of the houses with that green coloured fungus, which is to be found on all neglected mansions that are exposed, even in England, to damp situations. There is, therefore, good reason why the knockers should be rubbed, the houses washed, and so forth."

Very true," replied his pupil," but they might do it in moderation."

"Ambition," said the Doctor, "the fault of noble minds, is the cause of this excess of cleanliness. You may smile, Edward, but when one house looks like a newly raised fabric, just sprung from the earth; who, that has a spark of feeling, would not be ambitious to rival such a pattern of cleanliness. By the bye, Edward, mind to day that you take a few florins in your pocket, to give the servant when we quit Mr. W's after dinner, or else, perhaps, you may be reminded of your omission, the next time you visit him, by having a little soup or made dish, turned over your coat. by accident."

"Give the servants a few florins, Sir," said Edward, with surprize.

"Yes," replied the Doctor," 'tis expected. Now this unfriendly custom was not many years ago still in fashion in England, when the guests were called upon to contribute to the wages of their host's servants."

EDWARD." I think, Sir, that there are some of the society of the Moravian brethren settled in Holland; shall we visit them."

DR. WALKER." No, that will not be in our power, as their community is established at Zeyst, which is at a short distance from Amsterdam only. They inhabit the house which formerly belonged to Count Zinzendorf, and when I visited Holland, about a year and half ago, I bought this very watch at their repository. Upon ringing at the bell, one of the brethren in a lay habit opened the door, and receiving us, I had a friend with me, with great politeness, he conducted us into ten good rooms, each containing artieles of the most useful trade, such as watch-makers, silversmiths, milliners, grocers, sadlers, &c. &c. Many of the artificers have been tutored in England, and I do assure you, I never saw a more beautiful display of goods of every kind.

"The artificers work on the basement story, at the back of the house, and no sound of trade is heard; but the house was so quiet that I could almost have fancied I was traversing the apartments of a Carthusian monastery, but that the gay display convinced me, that although surrounded by plain and simple dressed men, who appeared as taciturne as any monk in the world need be, yet I was still in the midst of this world's vanities, quite as much so indeed, as if I had been parading the splendid Bazaar in Soho Square."

Pipes and tobacco were invariably placed before our tra vellers when they returned to their hotel after their peregri nations in the city, which they declined touching to the surprize of the waiter, who could scarcely conceive it pos sible that any one should resist so agreeable an entertainment. As they passed along the quay, amidst clouds of smoke, which came wafting from the innumerable pipes, as the Dutchmen, after their daily toils were refreshing them-selves..

"I have no doubt," observed the Doctor," that the

habit of smoaking is very beneficial to the Dutch, as it must counteract the effects of the damp atmosphere."

SECTION IV.

INUNDATIONS OF HOLLAND.

"LETTERS from England," said Colin, as he entered the

room.

Edward eagerly opened his letter.

Stop a bit, Colin," said Dr. Walker, "I have something to say to you. You, perhaps, would have no objection to return to Scotland?" The blood of the Highlander rushed to his face. "And as we really have no further need of your assistance, now is the time for you to say, whether you had rather continue your travels, or return to your native land, (here the Doctor paused) and Jean.”

Colin knew not what to say. He began at length, to express various hopes and fears, and feelings tending to convince the Doctor that he was very unwilling to leave them, but that he still most ardently desired to return home.

"You shall embark for London, Colin," said the Doctor, as the Highlander concluded his long speech," and you shall have letters for Mrs. Montague, and from London you can soon get on board a vessel for Leith, and then,—-”

"Oh!" replied Colin, " I have been to Leith,—but,— indeed,-"

"No buts," replied the Doctor," so now you may go and prepare for your departure."

Colin bowed, and Dr. Walker and his pupil began also to think of continuing their journey in a day or two. Fortunately a vessel bound for London was about to quit Rotterdam, and having seen the Highlander on board, they returned to their hotel, to settle their own departure for the next day.

After crossing the river Lock, and a flat country, they at length arrived at Dordrecht, or Dort, a town situated in an island formed by the mouths of the rivers Meuse, Merwe, Rhine, and Linge,

Holland is more exposed to inundations than any other

country. The industry of the inhabitants has, by means of dykes or sea banks, endeavoured to provide against the encroachments, but these at various periods have been swept away by the united action of the rain, wind, and sea storms. In the year 1421, the neighbourhood of Dordrecht 70 villages and 100,000 of the inhabitants were swallowed up by an inundation of the most frightful extent; and in the year 1686 the London Gazette contains the following melancholy account of the destruction of the dykes in the province of Groningen.

"On Friday the 22nd of November, it blew the most violent storm from the south-east, towards night the wind changed to the west, then to the north-west, afterwards to the north-east, and then back again to the north-west. The weather continued thus tempestuous all night, accompanied with thunder and lightning; the chimnies of a great number of houses were blown down, and many houses were unroofed and much mischief was done in other respects, but it was not comparable to that which followed: for the dykes not being able to resist the violence of the sea, agitated by these terrible storms, the whole country between this and the Delfziel, being about eighteen English miles, was the next morning overwhelmed with water, which in many places was eight feet higher than the very dykes, and many people and thousands of cattle were drowned, the water breaking even through the walls of the town of Delfziel, to that height that the inhabitants were forced to betake themselves to their garrets and upper rooms for safety. The whole of the village of Olerdum is, in a manner, swept away. At Fermandrzyl, there is not a house left, above three hundred people being drowned there, and only nineteen escaping. Hereskes, Weywert, Woldendorp, and all the villages near the Eems have suffered extremely. The western quarter has likewise had its share in this calamity, and the highest lands have not escaped. On Sunday, and yesterday, it reached this city, the lower parts whereof are now all under water. From the walls of this city we can see nothing but the tops of houses, and steeples that remain above the water. In a word, the misery and desolation are greater than can be expressed."

Groningen is noted for fine linen thread, a salmon fishery, and Rhenish wine. The inhabitants trade also in corn and timber; great quantities of the latter are cut up in the saw.

mills. Vessels coming down the Rhine and Maas pay a toll here.

From Dordrecht they embarked for Gastruydenburg, and after a very pleasant passage they arrived at that place, from whence they proceeded direct for Antwerp. On their road thither Edward exclaimed warmly against the odious custom of drinking gin, which appeared so prevalent in Holland. "It is hardly more so here, than in England," replied his friend, " and although I deprecate the custom as much as you do, because I consider it injurious to health; yet we should think even upon this subject with a degree of impartiality, with which it is seldom treated. We are all, I am afraid, given too much to the indulgence of our appetites, and those, perhaps, who every day drink Champaigne and Burgundy, should pause a few moments before they lavish such gross abuse on poor people who drink gin, which is to them a greater luxury than the finest wine you could offer them. I am not defending the custom; neither do I defend the custom of drinking large quantities of wine, brandy, or beer; of eating immoderately, or dressing extravagantly; but human nature is in some degree the same in all stations. Men will indulge themselves in superfluities. Why then should we expect more forbearance in that rank of society who are the least taught it either by precept or example from their superiors.

"You know Dr. Johnson's answer to a man who himself lived on all the good things of this world, and was reproving the Doctor for giving a few half-pence to some poor creature, because it would be spent in gin. Well,' quickly replied the Doctor, and why not they, sir, their luxuries as well as we.' You understand me right upon this subject, I deprecate the custom because I deprecate all excess; but I deprecate it as much, or more, in the noble, than in the hard-working poor. The former have less excuse for it. Ine gorac of doing as we would be done by, would stop many hasty and common place censures, which are habitually in the mouths of those, who conceive they have the right of judging their neighbours upon all occasions."

"Gin is principally made in Holland, is it not, Sir?" enquired Edward.

"That which is called Hollands is manufactured in this