100 Hans Brinker

“¢ What, the weight of a man?” cried Ben, showing such
astonishment in his eyes that Ludwig fairly capered.

“ No, no! the weight of a bulb. The first tulip was sent
here from Constantinople, about the year 1560. It was so
much admired that the rich people of Amsterdam sent to
Turkey for more. From that time, they grew to be the rage;
and it lasted for years. Single roots brought from one to four
thousand florins; and one bulb, the Semper Augustus, brought
fifty-five hundred.”

«© That ’s more than four hundred guineas of our money,”
interposed Ben.

“Yes, and I know I’m right ; for I read it in a translation
from Beckman, only day before yesterday. Well, sir, it was
great. Every one speculated in tulips, even the bargemen and

Ben did not know that, in his own day, a single tulip-plant, called the
«Fanny Kemble,’’ had been sold in London for more than seventy
guineas.

Mr. Mackay, in his ‘* Memoirs of Popular Delusions,” tells a funny
story of an English botanist who happened to see a tulip-bulb lying in the
conservatory of a wealthy Dutchman. Ignorant of its value, he took out
his penknife, and, cutting the bulb in two, became very much interested
in his investigations. Suddenly the owner appeared, and, pouncing
furiously upon him, asked him if he knew what he was doing. “¢ Peeling
* replied the philosopher. ¢* Hundert tousant
shouted the Dutchman. ‘It’s an admiral van der eyk !** —

w

a most extraordinary onion,’
tuyvel !”°
‘¢ Thank you,”’ replied the traveller, immediately writing the name in his
note-book. ‘Pray, are these very common in your country ?’’ -—
«¢ Death and the tuyvel!’” screamed the Dutchman. ‘* Come before the
Syndic, and you shall see.’’ In spite of his struggles, the poor investigator,
followed by an indignant mob, was taken through the streets to a magis-
trate. Soon he learned, to his dismay, that he had destroyed a bulb
worth four thousand florins (sixteen hundred dollars). He was lodged in
prison until securities could be procured for the payment of the sum.