Beeton's Famous Voyages, Brigand Adventures, Tales of the Battlefield, Life and Nature, Ed. by S.O. Beeton (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1873 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIX, CHARITY QUIET, drowsy little town is the ancient burgh of Delft. Once upon a time it was the metropolis of pottery, and we still talk of Delft ware, though it no longer carries on its manufactures, and its streets are as dull as the placid canals by which they are intersected. But it is all very clean, scrupulously clean, and there is amusement enough for an hour or two in strolling through the town. Here is the old church with its leaning tower, where Van Tronrp lies buried; and here, too, reposes Piet Hein, who from a small beginning, being nought but a fisher lad, rose to be an admiral, and captured the Spanish Silver Fleet. And here is the new church, with a costly monument to the founder of the Dutch Republic; and here is the simple tomb of Grotius, and a fine old organ that it is well to hear. And here is the market-place, with a picturesque stadthaus; and here--here is the place we are in search of--the old mansion of William the Silent. Let us forget it as it is, and think of it as it was not quite three hundred years ago. Delft High-street wears an unusual aspect of bustle. It is summer time, and the double row of trees which rise on either side of the canal join their branches over it in friendly union, and the light wind now and;;gain wafts off a blossom, which floats like a fairy boat on the surface of the water. Here is the old kirk, a plain brick building, -with lancet windows and a tall slender tower. On the opposite side of the canal is tin, ' abode of the Prince of Orange, who has come to reside for a season with the good people of Delft. The 'house is a plain two-storied edifice of brick, with a red-tiled roof. It was once a monastery, aud has still very much of that grave and sober aspect which such buildings are wont to wea.