On returning to the town of windmills, they encountered the gentleman
who had advised them to pay a visit to the place.
"I am going on to Alkmaar," he observed, "and should be rejoiced to have
your company; it is a place well worth seeing, and you will have further
experience of Dutch scenery on the way."
"We will go, by all means," said the Count, who, as it saved him the
trouble of thinking, was glad to receive suggestions regarding their
route. They accordingly went on board the steamer, which was already
pretty well filled with country people, butter-sellers, peddlers,
gardeners, and others, very clean and respectable and picturesque in
their costume. There was a vast amount of shouting and holloaing and
talking as the boat passed through a narrow lock, which conducted them
into the direct line of canal navigation to the place they purposed
visiting. As they glided on, they observed the banks on either side
lined with windmills; here and there were small houses painted green
with red roofs--indeed, red roofs were seen everywhere, like British
soldiers skirmishing, as the colour was toned down and mellowed by time
and weather. On and on they went, sometimes looking down from the canal
to the country below them, for the water was on a higher level than the
land.
"It would be an awkward business if a breach were to be made in the
banks, and the water were to run out over the country," observed the
Count.
"We take precautions against that, by making the banks broad and strong,
as you will observe," remarked their friend. "But such an event has
occurred more than once, sometimes by accident, and at others purposely,
to prevent the approach of an enemy, when in a few hours a whole
district has been laid under water."
"When that occurs, the fields and the orchards and the cottages of the
inhabitants must be destroyed," observed the Count.
"Undoubtedly," answered his companion. "But we Dutchmen are patriotic,
and willingly sacrifice our own interests for the good of the country;
besides which the chief sufferers have seldom been consulted--our
leaders have decided that it was necessary, and it has been done. In
this way Alkmaar was defended against the Spaniards, and Leyden was
relieved by a fleet of the `Beggars of the Sea,' which, sailing across
the submerged land, brought provisions and reinforcements to the
starving garrison."
League after league was passed over by this watery way; trees there
were, but they were scarcely of sufficient height to break the uniform
appearance of the level country.
"My dear Baron," said the Count, taking his friend by the button-hole,
"I have at length settled a point in my mind which has long puzzled me;
I have heard that philosophers differ as to whether the earth is round
or flat, and now you will agree with me that we have proof positive that
it is flat. Look round on every side--the country is as level as a
billiard table, the water in the canals does not run one way more than
another, there's not a single elevation between us and the distant
horizon. Yes, I am convinced of the fact: one does learn something by
travelling."
The Baron, who was seldom in an argumentative mood, smiled blandly, and
replied, "Yes, my dear Count, you are probably right as far as Holland
is concerned. When we reach other parts of the world we may be
compelled, against our better judgment, to change our opinion, but time
enough for that when we get there; let us at present side with those who
hold to the opinion that the world is flat, but not with those who
pronounce it stale and unprofitable, for Holland is certainly not
unprofitable, or the people would not look so wealthy, fat, and
comfortable."
After the canal had made several turnings, the tall steeples of Alkmaar,
quaint and ancient, appeared in sight, but it was some time before the
steamer reached the quay of that picturesque town.
Leaving the steamboat, the Count and the Baron at once going to an
hotel, ordered dinner to be prepared, having invited their new friend to
join them.
"Though Alkmaar is a place of no great importance at present," observed
their friend, "it can boast of three things--its heroic defence against
the Spaniards, of which I will give you an account by-and-by as we walk
round the ramparts; of its cleanliness, of which you have ocular proof;
and of the vast amount of excellent cheese which it exports; indeed, it
is said to do more business in cheese than any other town in the world.
There are also two or three quaint and curious buildings which are
worthy of a visit."
"We will visit them in their turn," observed the Baron.
As he descended the steps of the hotel he evidently created some
sensation among the market people, fishwives, the butter-sellers, and
others who thronged the streets. Perceiving this, he stopped short and
looked about him with a benignant air. "Perhaps, if I were to take up
my residence here, I might be elected Burgomaster," he thought to
himself, "though at home it might be beneath my rank to enter into
commerce. I should have no objection to deal in cheese, they look so
clean, and taste so nice, and have so fragrant an odour. A million
cheeses exported by Baron Stilkin and Company would sound well, and even
though I were to make a profit of only a styver per cheese, would come
to a good sum annually--I will see to it." His cogitations were
interrupted by the appearance of the Count and their friend, who now
invited him to accompany them round the town. Their friend was an
enthusiastic patriot, and having shown them Alkmaar, and described its
heroic defence against the Spaniards, advised them as to the course they
should afterwards pursue. They accordingly set off and visited Haarlem
and Leyden, the Hague--the royal capital--and Rotterdam, the great
commercial city rivalling Amsterdam, Gouda, and Utrecht, which possesses
a cathedral and a fine old tower rising to the height of three hundred
and twenty feet above the ground.
"And now I propose that, as we have seen all these towns, we go forth
and enjoy something of the country, before we leave Holland," said the
Count.
"Agreed," answered the Baron, and so it was settled.