A continuous broad and high bank of sand lines the coast as far as we
could see, and forms the powerful protection of this part of Holland
against the inroads of the ocean. Without this provision of nature, the
country would be inundated by every extraordinary tide and gale; for it
may be truly said, “the broad ocean leans against the land.” On the
sand-hills, the same kind of plants prevail as in similar situations in
England; sea-holly and buckthorn, _asparago_ and _Galium verum_, with
sea-marran, _arundo arenaria_, which last is encouraged here, being
found very useful in binding the sand. In some places wheat-straw had
been dibbled in, as at Ostend, in order to promote the same object.
Considering Scheveling as a fishing-village, we were greatly pleased
with it: it was extremely neat and clean, and formed a perfect contrast
with our Newhaven and Fisherrow,[379] the lanes of which are generally
encumbered with all sorts of filth. We must confess, too, that in
tidiness of dress and urbanity of manners, the fishwomen of Scheveling
are equally superior to those of the Scottish villages just mentioned.
As we returned to the Hague, numbers of the inhabitants were also on
their way to the fish-market, some carrying baskets of fish on their
heads, and others employing three or four dogs to convey the fish in
small light carts. We had read in books, of these draught dogs being
well used, and fat and sleek; but we regret to say, that those which we
saw were generally poor half-starved looking animals, bearing no
equivocal marks of ill usage. The diligence with which they sped their
way to town, with their cargoes, in a sultry day, with tongues lolling
to the ground, seemed to entitle them to better treatment.