Hans Brinker; Or, The Silver Skates

Mr. Mackay in his "Memoirs of Popular Delusions" tells a funny story of an English botanist who happened to see a tulip bulb lying in the conservatory of a wealthy Dutchman. Ignorant of its value, he took out his penknife and, cutting the bulb in two, became very much interested in his investigations. Suddenly the owner appeared, and pouncing furiously upon him, asked him if he knew what he was doing. "Peeling a most extraordinary onion," replied the philosopher. "Hundert tousant tuyvel!" shouted the Dutchman, "it's an Admiral Vander Eyk!" "Thank you," replied the traveler, immediately writing the name in his note book; "pray are these very common in your country?" "Death and the tuyvel!" screamed the Dutchman, "come before the Syndic and you shall see!" In spite of his struggles the poor investigator, followed by an indignant mob, was taken through the streets to a magistrate. Soon he learned to his dismay that he had destroyed a bulb worth 4,000 florins ($1,600). He was lodged in prison until securities could be procured for the payment of the sum.

19

Half-way.

20

Lunch.

21

An organ stop which produces an effect resembling the human voice.

22

Sir Thomas Carr's Tour through Holland.

23

Skipper. Master of a small trading vessel, – a pleasure-boat or ice-boat.

24

Macaulay's History of England.

25

In Holland, women of the lower grades of society do not take the title of Mrs. (or Mevrouw) when they marry, as with us. They assume their husband's name, but are still called Miss (Jufvrouw, pronounced Yuffrow).

26

A building erected by Prince Maurice of Nassau.

27

William, Prince of Orange, who became King of England, was a great grandson of William the Silent, Prince of Orange, who was murdered by Geraerts (or Gerard) July 10th, 1584.

28

Ice-breaker – A heavy machine armed with iron spikes for breaking the ice as it is dragged along. Some of the small ones are worked by men – but the large ones are drawn by horses – sixty or seventy of which are sometimes attached to one Ysbreeker.

29

This is not said in derision. Both the girls and boys of this Institution wear garments quartered in red and black, alternately. By making the dress thus conspicuous, the children are, in a measure, deterred from wrong-doing while going about the city. The Burgher Orphan Asylum affords a comfortable home to several hundred boys and girls. Holland is famous for its charitable institutions.