I know of no place in which the lover of the antique, whether he is a collector of ancient coins, jewels, china, furniture, or a seeker after rare curios and relics, can experience greater delight than in this old city of Rotterdam. Here are hundreds of shops, whose proprietors devote their whole lives to the accumulation of such objects, and it is needless to say that their stock is rich and unique, and possesses abundant variety. We visit a number of these establishments, and I succeed in gathering up a large assortment of old swords which please my fancy. One of these is said to have been owned by Christopher Columbus(?). The shopkeeper vouches for the truth of the statement, and as I am willing to believe it, in the absence of proof to the contrary, I label it as the sword of the great navigator who added a new hemisphere to our globe. The remaining swords have been the personal property of lords, generals or other warlike celebrities, and again I take comfort in the thought that if the records are not truthful, it is a minor consideration when taking into account the moderate prices which I have paid for the articles.
The artist will find in Rotterdam a wealth of material both for figure subjects, and odd and picturesque bits of landscape. Here too are wonderful interiors, with all the quaint associations of a bygone age. Here are scenes on the canals, the bridges, and the ever changing life on the river. By all means visit Rotterdam if you desire original studies for your sketch book.
[Illustration: "The belle of the Market." (_See page 119._)]
Amsterdam--The People of Holland---Amstel River--Merry Excursionists--Interesting Institutions--Origin of the City--Source of Prosperity--A Cousin to Venice--Ninety Islands--Beams and Gables--Block and Tackle--Old Salesmen--Street Markets--Haarlem--Railway Travel at Home and Abroad--Ancient Buildings--Historic Associations--In the Canal--Groote Kerk--The Great Organ--Picturesque Subjects--Zandvoort--Eau de Cologne--The Beach--Dutch Sail Boats--Seamen--Hooded Chairs--Peddlers--Music in Holland and Germany--Gypsies--We Meet an Artist--Hospitality--A Banquet.
Amsterdam, the commercial capital of Holland, is but a short ride from Rotterdam, and like all the other "dam" cities of this region, possesses many attractions of its own, besides being the centre or hub from which radiate trips to many picturesque towns and other points of interest.