An amusing and lively account of this capital, its public institutions,
society, painters, &c. may be found in a small volume, entitled “Voyage
par la Hollande,” published by a French visitant in 1806. This is
probably the most recent sketch of Amsterdam. With the exception of the
conversion of the stadt-house into a king’s palace, and the
establishment of certain societies, its general aspect and character
have undergone little change for a century past; insomuch that “Le Guide
d’Amsterdam,” published by Paul Blad in 1720, may be regarded as forming
a correct and useful pocket-companion at the present day. The
descriptions given of the Dutch towns by Mr. Ray in 1663, Dr. Brown in
1668, Mr. Misson in 1687, and Dr. Northleigh in 1702, are applicable in
almost every particular to the same towns at the present day; so
comparatively stationary has Holland been, or so averse are the people
to changes.
That fuel should be scarce and dear in Amsterdam, the capital of a
country destitute of coal-mines, and growing very little wood, might be
expected; but, surrounded and intersected by canals as the city is, it
is surprising that another of the necessaries of life, pure water,
should be a still scarcer commodity: yet such is the case. There is no
water fit for culinary purposes in Amsterdam but what is brought by
boats from the Vecht, a distance of fifteen miles; and limpid water is
brought from Utrecht, more than twice that distance, and sold in the
streets by gallon measures, for table use, and for making of tea and
coffee.[303]
[303] Horticultural Tour.
* * * * *
_For the Table Book._