The Belgian Traveller, Being a Complete Guide Through Belgium and Holland (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ...of Priesland, but frequent inundations have destroyed the greater part of it, and choked up the harbqur. It is yet, however, a considerable town. Passage-boats go once or twice a week to Amsterdam, Enkhuysen, Harlingen; and vessels to Leeuwarden, Sneek, and Worcum. The City Hotel (Stadsherberg) is a good hotel. Three miles from Staveren is Molquern. This little town, containing only 400 inhabitants, is very curiously built. The houses are all detached, and so irregularly placed, that a stranger finds himself in a perfect labyrinth. The inhabitants trace their descent from the Saxons, and have a language peculiar to themselves. They are chiefly seamen. Six miles from Staveren is Hinlopen or Hindelopen, with 1,500 inhabitants, and abeautiiultower. It is principally supported by fishing. This town presents a singular appearance, almost all the houses being of the same height and form, and painted black or blue. The costume of the inhabitants is no less remarkable, being distinguished from that of all the other Frieslanders by its excessive formality. It is said that neither their language nor their costume has varied for many centuries. The best inns are the Swan (Zwaan) and the Gilt-Anchor (Ferguide Anker). A diligence sets out every day for Worcum and Staveren, and a vessel once a week for Amsterdam. Still following the coast of the Zuyder-Zee, the traveller arrives at-Worcum or Woldercum containing 3,200 inhabitants. The neighbouring country is very fertile, and watered by numerous canals. The principal occupations are lime-burning and eel-fishmg. A great quantity of eels are sent as far as England. The best inns are the Friesland Arms and the Amsterdam Arms. A boat goes to Bolswaert four times a day, and to Amsterdam and Enkhuysen three...