WINTER AND SUMMER 23

ness, it is not so with the women. They are as lively
as one could wish, taller in proportion than the men,
with fresh, rosy faces, and hair that matches the sun-
shine. Many of them are elegant and graceful. As for
work,—well, if there could be such a thing as a Dutch
Barnum, he would make
his fortune by exhibiting
a lazy Dutchwoman—if
he could find one! Ah!
how they work!—brush-
ing, mopping, scrubbing,
and polishing. Judging
from some houses that I
have seen in Holland, I do
believe the tiniest Lillipu-
tian that Gulliver ever
saw could not fill his
pockets with dust if he
searched through dozens
of Dutch homes.

Brock, a little village
near beautiful Amster-
dam, that city of ninety
islands, is said to be the
cleanest place in the world.

 

It used to be quite famous
for its North-Holland pe- cca tna

culiarities—and even to-day it has strong characteristics
of its own. It is inhabited mainly by retired Dutch mer-
chants and their families, who seem determined to enjoy