Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

20
THE ATTEMPT.
Part II.
In last Number we left our travellers on their way to Amsterdam, reaching that
city, so appropriately termed the “ London of Holland,” after a ride of about two
hours.
Here a stranger is very much astonished at the peculiar dress worn by orphan
children, one half being red, and the other black; while their little white caps and
aprons form a great contrast with the red and black dress.
Next morning they went to see the Palace, which was built in 1648, of stone
outside, and marble within. They there saw the bed-room of the father of the present
Emperor of the French. The walls of the dining room (which was two hundred years
old) were of white marble, some parts being beautifully sculptured. There were three
paintings, too, that attracted our travellers’ attention. One represented Moses and the
Seventy Elders in the Wilderness; another, Moses and Jethro; and a third, Solomon
Praying for Wisdom. In the Queen’s Eeception-Eoom, which was hung with blue silk,
there was a painting of Justice, by one of Eubens’ pupils; whilst in the King’s were
displayed the flags taken by the Dutch in the Spanish war, in a sadly tattered condition.
There is also in this Palace a very beautiful ball-room, the walls being of white sculptured
marble, and the roof adorned with beautifully-painted flowers and figures. They then
went up a flight of two hundred steps to the top of th'e Palace, where they had a
splendid view of the surrounding country, which is thickly studded with wind-mills.
Having seen the principal rooms of the Palace, they left it, and proceeded to the
Museum or Picture Gallery, where they saw a great many paintings by the old
masters. After going to a few more interesting places they returned to the hotel,
where they partook of a excellent dinner at the table d’hote. Next day at noon they
left the capital of Holland for Cologne, or Coin, as it is called on the Continent, where
they arrived at nine o’clock at night. It is here that the celebrated eau-de-Cologne is
made. The day after the Doctor and his party arrived, they went to see the far famed
Dorn Cathedral. “ Words,” said Dr Blackburn, afterwards when giving an account of
it to hisjiiends, “ cannot convey an adequate idea of this stupendous and magnificent
pile. It must be seen to be appreciated. But whilst its great size and beautiful
architecture impress a feeling of awe on the mind of the beholder, you cannot help the
thought intruding, After all, what is man ? Here is the splendid edifice. It excites
the admiration and wonder of the whole world, and yet the name of the man who
designed it is lost in the obscurity of past ages.” And how true this is of all man’s