CONCLUSION.
After finishing their breakfast, Mr. George and Rollo entered the
carriage again, and returned by the same way that they came, for some
miles towards Amsterdam, until they came to the place where the road
turned off to go to Saandam. After proceeding for some distance upon one
of the inland dikes, they came at length to the margin of the sea, and
then for several miles the road lay along the great sea dike, which here
defends the land from the ingress of the ocean.
"Ah," said Mr. George, as soon as they entered upon this portion of the
road, "here we come to one of the great sea dikes. How glad I am."
"So am I," said Rollo. "I wanted to see one of the sea dikes."
"It is very much like the others," said Mr. George, "only it is much
larger."
"Yes," said Rollo, "and see how it winds about along the shore."
In looking forward in the direction in which Rollo pointed, the dike
could be traced for a long distance in its course, like an immense
railroad embankment, winding in and out in a most remarkable manner, in
conformity to the indentations of the shore. In one respect it differed
from a railroad embankment, namely, in being bordered and overshadowed
by avenues of immense trees, which showed how many ages ago the dike had
been built. There is not a railroad embankment in the world that has
been built long enough for such immense trees to have had time to grow.
The carriage road lay along the top of the dike, which was very broad,
and the slopes of it, towards the water on one side, and towards the low
meadow lands on the other, were very gradual. Men were at work every
where along these slopes, cutting the second crop of grass, and making
it into hay. Where the hay was ready to be got in, the men were at work
loading it into boats that lay in the little canals that extend along
the sides of the dike at the foot of the slopes.
Wind mills were to be seen every where, all about the horizon. As the
road approached Saandam, these mills became more and more numerous.
"I mean to see if I can count them," said Rollo.
"You cannot count them, I am sure," said Mr. George.
Rollo began; but when he got up to a hundred, he gave up the undertaking
in despair. Mr. George told him that he read in the guide book that
there were four thousand wind mills in that region.
Some of these wind mills were very small indeed; and there were two or
three which looked so "cunning," as Rollo said, that he wished very much
that he had one of them to take with him to America.
The use of these very small wind mills was to pump up the water from
some very limited tract of land, which, for some reason or other,
happened to lie a few inches lower than the rest.
At last, after an infinite number of turnings and windings, by means of
which every part of the surrounding country was brought in succession
into view before Mr. George and Rollo as they sat in their carriage,
they arrived at the town of Saandam.
The town consists of two streets, one on each embankment of a great
canal. The streets are closely built up for many miles along the canal,
but the town does not extend laterally at all, on account of the ground
falling off immediately to very low polders.
[Illustration: CABIN OF PETER THE GREAT.]
After entering the street the commissioner left the carriage, in order
that the horses might rest, and led Mr. George and Rollo on a walk
through the prettiest part of the town. They walked about half a mile
along the canal on one side, and then, crossing by a ferry, they came
back on the other side.
In the course of this walk they went to see the hut where Peter the
Great lived while he was in Holland engaged in studying ship building in
the ship yards of Saandam. The hut itself was old and dilapidated; but
it was covered and protected by a good, substantial building of brick,
with open arches all around, which allowed the hut to be seen, while the
roof and walls of the building protected it from the rain. The hut was
situated in a very pretty little garden.
There were two rooms in the hut, and one of them--the one shown in the
engraving--had a very curious-looking Dutch fireplace in one corner of
it, and a ladder to go up to the loft above. The chairs were very
curious indeed; the seats being three-cornered, and the back and arms
being constructed in a very singular manner.
The walls of the rooms were perfectly covered, in every part, with the
names of visitors, who had come from all countries to see the rooms.
Besides these, there were a great many volumes of books filled with
names. These books lay on a great table, which stood at one side of the
room. There was one of the books which was not yet full, and this one
lay open on the table, with a pen and ink near it, in order that fresh
visitors, as fast as they came, might enter their names.
After looking at this cabin as long as they wished, and entering their
names in the book, Mr. George and Rollo left the hut and returned
through one of the main streets of the town to the place where they had
left their carriage. The carriage was soon ready for them, and they set
out to go back to Amsterdam.
They had a delightful drive back, going as they came, on the top of the
great sea dike. On one side they could look off over a wide expanse of
water, with boats, and steamers, and ships moving to and fro in every
direction over it. On the other side they overlooked a still wider
expanse of low and level green fields, intersected every where with
canals of water and avenues of trees, and with a perfect forest of wind
mills in the horizon.
* * * * *
As they were riding quietly along upon this dike on the return to
Amsterdam, Rollo had the opportunity of imparting to Mr. George some
valuable information in respect to Peter the Great.
"I am glad that I have had an opportunity to see the workshop of Peter
the Great," said Mr. George. "It is very curious indeed. But I don't
know much about Peter the Great. The first opportunity I get I mean to
read an account of his life, and I advise you to do the same."
"I have read about him," said Rollo. "I found a book about him in a
steamboat that we came in, and I read all about his coming to Holland."
"Then tell me about it," said Mr. George.
"Why, you see," said Rollo, "he was at war with the Turks, and he fought
them and drove them off to the southward, until at last he came to the
Sea of Asoph. Then he could not fight them any more, unless he could get
some ships. So he made a law for all the great boyars of his kingdom,
that every one of them must build or buy him a ship. What are boyars,
uncle George?"
"Nobles," said Mr. George.
"I thought it must be something like that," replied Rollo.
"The old nobility of those Russian countries are called boyars," said
Mr. George; "but I don't know why. Most of the common people are slaves
to them."
"Well, at any rate," said Rollo, "he made a law that every one of them,
or at least all that were rich enough, should build or buy him a ship;
but they did not know how to build ships themselves, and so they were
obliged to send to Holland for ship builders. They built more and better
ships in Holland in those days than in any country in the world."
"Yes, I suppose so," said Mr. George.
"The boyars did not like it very well to be obliged to build these
ships," continued Rollo. "And there was another thing that they disliked
still more."
"What was that?" asked Mr. George.
"Why, the emperor made them send off their sons to be educated in
different foreign countries," replied Rollo. "You see, in those days
Russia was very little civilized, and Peter concluded that it would help
to introduce civilization into the country, if the sons of the principal
men went to other great cities for some years, to study sciences and
arts. So he sent some of them to Paris, and some to Berlin, and some to
Amsterdam, and some to Rome. But most of them did not like to go."
"That's strange," said Mr. George. "I should have thought they would
have liked to go very much."
"At least their fathers did not like to send them," said Rollo; "perhaps
on account of the expense; and some of the young men did not like to
go. There was one that was sent to Venice, in order that he might see
and learn every thing that he could there, that would be of advantage to
his own country; but he was so cross about it that when he got to Venice
he shut himself up in his house, and declared that he would not see or
learn any thing at all."
"He was a very foolish fellow, I think," said Mr. George.
"Yes," said Rollo, "I think he was. But I've seen boys in school act
just so. They get put out with the teacher for something or other, and
then they won't try to understand the lesson."
"That is punishing themselves, and not the teacher," said Mr. George.
"But go on about Peter."
"After a while," continued Rollo, "Peter concluded to make a journey
himself. His plan was to go to all the most civilized countries, and
into all the finest cities in Europe, and see what he could learn that
would be of use in his own dominions. So he fitted out a grand
expedition. He took a number of ambassadors, and generals, and great
potentates of all kinds with him. These men were dressed in splendid
uniforms, and travelled in great state, and had grand receptions in all
the great towns that they came to. But Peter himself did nothing of the
kind. He dressed plainly, like a common man, so that wherever he went
he could ramble about at liberty, and see what he wanted to see in peace
and quietness, while all the people were running after the procession of
ambassadors and grandees."
"That was a good plan," said Mr. George.
"An excellent plan," rejoined Rollo. "In some of the seaports that he
visited, he used to put on a sort of a pea jacket, such as the Dutch
skippers wore, and go about in that, along the wharves and docks, and
look at all the shipping.
"But he was most interested in going to Holland," continued Rollo, "for
that was the country where they built the best ships. Besides, the first
vessel that he ever saw happened to be a Dutch vessel. I forgot to tell
you about that."
"Yes," replied Mr. George, "tell me now."
"Why, it was some years before this time," said Rollo,--"two or three I
believe,--that he first saw a vessel. There was a country place with a
handsome house and pleasure grounds, belonging to the royal family. I
forget what the name of it was. But that is no matter. One time, after
Peter came to the throne, he went out to this country place to spend a
few days. He found on the grounds a sort of artificial winding canal or
pond, with pretty trees on the banks of it. On this canal was a yacht,
which had been built in Holland and brought there, for the people to
sail in when they came to that palace. The yacht had not been used much,
and was lying neglected at the wharf. But Peter immediately had it put
in order, and took a sail in it, and he liked it very much indeed."
"Was it the first vessel that he ever saw?" asked Mr. George.
"Yes," said Rollo, "I believe it was; or at least it was the first that
he ever particularly noticed. He liked sailing in it, and then, besides,
there was one of his officers there, who had travelled in other
countries in Europe where people had ships and navies, and he told Peter
what great advantages they gained from them, not only in carrying goods
from place to place, but in transporting armies, and fighting their
enemies at sea.
"Peter thought a great deal about this, and when he went back to Moscow,
which was then the capital, he inquired and found that there were some
people from Holland there. He asked them if they knew how to build
ships. Some of them said they did. Then he asked them if they could not
build him some small vessels, just like the Dutch ships of war. They
said they could. So he made a bargain with them, and they built him
several.
"Do you know how many?" asked Mr. George.
"Not exactly," replied Rollo. "There were several small vessels, and I
remember that there were four frigates, and each frigate had four guns.
I don't suppose the guns were very large."
"Four guns is a very small armament for a frigate," said Mr. George.
"Yes," replied Rollo, "very small indeed. But you see, Peter did not
want them for real service, but only for models, as it were."
"And what did he do with them, when they were done?" asked Mr. George.
"They were launched into a lake there was in that part of the country,"
said Rollo, "and there the emperor used to sail about in them, and have
sham fights.
"But all this, you must understand," continued Rollo, "took place two or
three years before Peter drove the Turks off from the southern part of
his empire, so as to get to the sea. And it was not till then that he
began to have real ships built of large size. And now, when he was going
to Holland, he of course remembered the old Dutch yacht which he had on
his pleasure grounds, and the small frigates which they had built him,
and the large ones too, which they had built for the boyars, and he felt
a great interest in going to see the ship yards. He determined that
while he was in Holland he would spend as much time as he could in
learning all about ship building.
"It is very curious about the emperor and his company's entering
Amsterdam," continued Rollo. "When the government there heard that he
was coming, they made grand preparations to receive him. They got the
cannon all ready on the ramparts to fire salutes, and drew out the
soldiers, and all the doors and windows were crowded with spectators.
They prepared a great number of illuminations, too, and fireworks, for
the night. But just before the party arrived at Amsterdam, the emperor
slipped away in a plain dress, and left the ambassadors, and generals,
and grandees to go in by themselves. The people of Amsterdam did not
know this. They supposed that some one or other of the people dressed so
splendidly, in the procession, was Peter; and so they shouted, and waved
their flags and their handkerchiefs, and fired the cannon, and made a
great parade generally."
"And Peter himself was not there at all?" said Mr. George.
"No," said Rollo. "He slipped away, and came in privately with a few
merchants to accompany him. And instead of going to the great palace
which the government of Amsterdam had provided and fitted up for him, he
left that to his ambassadors, and went himself to a small house, by a
ship yard, where he could be at liberty, and go and come when he
pleased."
"And afterwards, I suppose he went to Saandam," said Mr. George.
"Yes, sir," replied Rollo. "Saandam was a great place for building ships
in those days. They say that while he was there, he went to work
regularly, like a ship carpenter, as if he wished to learn the trade
himself. But I don't believe he worked a great deal."
"No," said Mr. George. "I presume he did not. He probably took the
character and dress of a workman chiefly for the purpose of making
himself more at home in the ship yards and about the wharves. Indeed, I
can't see what useful end could be gained by his learning to do work
himself. He could not expect to build ships himself when he should
return to Russia."
"No," said Rollo. "I expect he wanted to see exactly how the ships were
built, and how the yards were managed, and he thought he could do this
better if he went among the workmen as one of their number."
"I presume so," said Mr. George. "I am very glad you found the book, and
I am much obliged to you for all this information."
Soon after this Mr. George and Rollo arrived safely at Amsterdam.
* * * * *
Rollo and Mr. George remained, after this, some days in Amsterdam; and
they were very much entertained with what they saw there in the streets,
and with the curious manners and customs of the people.
* * * * *
PUBLICATIONS OF
BROWN, TAGGARD & CHASE,
SUCCESSORS TO
W. J. REYNOLDS & CO., No. 24 Cornhill, Boston.
ROLLO'S TOUR IN EUROPE:
BEING A NEW SERIES OF
ROLLO BOOKS,
BY REV. JACOB ABBOTT.
IN SIX VOLUMES, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED.
_Extract from the Preface._
In this series of narratives we offer to the readers of the Rollo Books
a continuation of the history of our little hero, by giving them an
account of the adventures which such a boy may be expected to meet with
in making a tour of Europe. The books are intended to be books of
instruction rather than of mere amusement; and, in perusing them, the
reader may feel assured that all the information which they contain, not
only in respect to the countries visited, but to the customs, usages,
and modes of life that are described, and also in regard to the general
character of the incidents and adventures that the young travellers meet
with, is in most strict accordance with fact. The main design of the
narratives is, thus, the communication of useful knowledge; and
everything which they contain, except what is strictly personal, in
relation to the actors in the story, may be depended upon as exactly and
scrupulously true.
_Notices of the Press._
We know of no books that are so eagerly sought for by good boys and
girls as Mr. Abbott's new series of "Rollo Books."--_Hartford Christian
Secretary._
Mr. Abbott has a singularly successful faculty of conveying instruction
with entertainment, and of interesting all classes of readers, but more
particularly the young. All will say that the more we have of such
useful and pleasant volumes the better.--_Salem Register._
They give excellent lessons in Geography and History, in the most
pleasing forms. They are beautifully printed, and illustrated with fine
engravings.--_New Haven Palladium._
There is no wonder that the "Rollo Books" are so extremely popular, for
we doubt if many of us "children of a larger growth" can escape their
fascination.--_Salem Observer._
A careful perusal of the volume under notice (Switzerland) will give the
young reader not only as good a geographical knowledge of the country it
describes as would be obtained at a term at school, but will acquaint
him with the habits, manners, and characteristics of the people of
Switzerland.--_American Citizen_.
No living man is his equal in story-telling for the young, and the book
will find its way into thousands of homes.--_Hartford Republican._
They contain a great deal of useful information, conveyed in a most
pleasing and interesting manner.--_Boston Post._
Written by one who has made the tour through which he carries his young
hero, and who, from long experience, knows how to please and instruct
his young readers, these volumes possess just the qualities to attract
those for whom they are intended.--_Norfolk Co. Journal._
The author has admirably combined the pleasing with the instructive, so
that while the youthful reader is charmed by the narrative, he also
gains valuable information with regard to those far-off places famed in
story and song.--_Boston Olive Branch._
A correspondent of the New York _National Magazine_ says;--"The volumes
are beautifully illustrated, and written in the charming and instructive
style of the author. We saw one of our New England governors, lately
returned from a European tour, quite absorbed in the volume upon Paris,
while travelling in a railway car, a short time since."
* * * * *
CUSHING'S MANUAL.
Price 38 cents.
NOTICES OF A NEW WORK ON PARLIAMENTARY RULES,
By LUTHER S. CUSHING,
TWELVE YEARS CLERK OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
_From S. H. Walley, late Speaker of the Massachusetts House of
Representatives._
I have taken great pleasure in examining the pages of this work, and do
not hesitate to express most fully my approbation of its plan and
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On two or three questions of minor importance, I might come to different
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to a careful research into the subject of parliamentary rules and
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This Manual is much needed. There is no work, in this country, which is
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I sincerely hope and believe that this publication will receive the
countenance and approbation to which it seems to me so justly entitled.
* * * * *
_From the Law Reporter, Edited by Peleg W. Chandler, Esq._
Hon. Luther S. Cushing has prepared for the press a new Manual of
Parliamentary Practice. Having examined the manuscript of this work with
considerable care, we take occasion to say, that it will be a valuable
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PUBLISHED BY
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(SUCCESSORS TO W. J. REYNOLDS & CO.,)
NO. 24 CORNHILL
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* * * * *
THE COLUMBIAN GLEE BOOK.
OR, MUSIC FOR THE MILLION.
IN THREE PARTS.
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_Part III.--Containing most of the old popular Continental Psalm Tunes._
Thus making the most complete collection, in all its features, ever
before published.
By I. B. WOODBURY, author of the "Dulcimer," "The Cythara," &c. &c.
_Extract from the Preface._
Here may be found Glees, Quartets, Trios and Songs, suited to every
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For the Sabbath eve, when
"Softly fades the twilight ray
Of the holy Sabbath day,"
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* * * * *
THE AMERICAN VOCALIST.
A SELECTION OF TUNES, ANTHEMS, SENTENCES AND HYMNS,
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* * * * *
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* * * * *
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* * * * *
SMELLIE'S PHILOSOPHY. The Philosophy of Natural History. By WM. SMELLIE.
With an Introduction and Addition by Dr. John Ware, of Cambridge, Mass.
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* * * * *
NORTHEND'S BOOK KEEPING. The Common School Book Keeping; being a simple
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In preparing this system the author has endeavored to make a plain,
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* * * * *
CUSHING'S MANUAL. Rules of Proceeding and Debate in Deliberative
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* * * * *
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Copies of all the above book will be sent to school committees, for
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* * * * *
MY UNCLE TOBY'S LIBRARY,
By FRANCIS FORRESTER, Esq.,
Consists of TWELVE VOLUMES, elegantly bound, and Illustrated with
upwards of SIXTY BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS.
1. _Arthur Ellerslie_, or The Brave Boy.
2. _Redbrook_, or Who'll buy my Watercresses?
3. _Minnie Brown_, or The Gentle Girl.
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* * * * *
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