mediate landing places. The canals within the town keep their unruffled surface for the most part, reflecting the ancient houses near them.

We spent some time in the museum, and were much interested in it, as with the statue of Ary Scheffer, by his friend Mezzera, in the Wijnstraat. Scheffer was born at Dort. Many of the red-tiled houses look so old as to seem to lean against each other for mutual support; these are most picturesque, and tell of days long past.

Dort has its tramway, and a newly built and even fashionable suburb beyond the railway station. It is a long straight road, well planted with trees, pretty white houses on either side, water and flowers everywhere; it seems an assertion on the part of Dort of rejuvenility. All looked bright and happy in the sunshine of that pleasant day.

The troubled days of 1572 evoked an energetic letter to the citizens of Dort from William of Orange, whose noble sacrifices had

been unavailing to pay the forces essential to combat the Spaniards.

"Let not," said the Prince, "a sum of gold be so dear to you that for its sake you will sacrifice your lives, your wives, your children, and all your descendants to the latest generations." This and similar missives circulated throughout the province of Holland, produced a deep impression. In accordance with the suggestions of the Prince, the deputies from the nobility, and from twelve cities of that province, assembled at Dort on the 15th of July, as representatives of the people; but they were summoned by Orange, royally commissioned in 1559 as Stadtholder, and therefore representing the royal authority. Upon the occasion of this meeting, St. Aldegonde, the friend of Orange, made an impassioned speech, and the estates assembled declared unanimously that they recognised the Prince as the King's lawful Stadtholder.

This meeting at Dort was the cause of the ultimate foundation of the Republic of the

United Dutch Provinces; and let it never be forgotten that when other cities were timid or money-grudging, Dort was staunch, liberal, patriotic, and generous.

The character of William of Orange partook in many respects of that of his mother,* a most noble and brave gentlewoman. She had already seen her youngest born Henry, her Adolphus, her chivalrous Louis, perish in the just cause; yet, in the year 1577, she writes to her heart's beloved lord and son," the Prince of Orange, "My heart longs for certain tidings from my lord, for methinks the peace now in prospect will prove but an oppression for soul and conscience. I trust my heart's dearly beloved lord and son will be supported by Divine Grace to do nothing against God and his own salvation."

Thus wrote this noble dame when three of those precious ones, Henry, Adolphus, and Louis had been sacrificed, with her own, and all their worldly goods, lands, rents, plate, and

* Juliana of Stolberg.

furniture. They had taken the chains and jewels from the necks of their wives, their children, and their mother, and had hawked them about, as if they had themselves been traders and hucksters! But unwearied still, the Prince consoled and assured his dear ones and his people. His courage and endurance, like his mother's, never failed.

But we must return to Rotterdam, and be on our way to Gouda and the Hague.

W

the railway station (a misapprehension having occurred respecting our train) it was strange to think of Rotterdam, now wealthy, and prosperous, once the scene of an onslaught of the Spaniards, after their unsuccessful attempt to capture Brill in 1572. Having by a perfidious stratagem gained admission within the city gates, permission was given to the Spaniards to pass through without halting; and to this promise the Spanish commander set his seal. With the admission, however, of the first detachment, a violent onset was made upon the gate by the whole Spanish force. The townspeople, not.

с