The Tulip-fancier and his Neighbour

           WhilsttheburghersoftheHagueweretearinginpiecesthebodiesofJohnandCorneliusdeWitt,andwhilstWilliamofOrange,afterhavingmadesurethathistwoantagonistswerereallydead,wasgallopingovertheLeydenroad,followedbyCaptainvanDeken,whomhefoundalittletoocompassionatetohonourhimanylongerwithhisconfidence,Craeke,thefaithfulservant,mountedonagoodhorse,andlittlesuspectingwhatterribleeventshadtakenplacesincehisdeparture,proceededalongthehighroadlinedwithtrees,untilhewasclearofthetownandtheneighbouringvillages.

           Beingoncesafe,helefthishorseataliverystableinordernottoarousesuspicion,andtranquillycontinuedhisjourneyonthecanal-boats,whichconveyedhimbyeasystagestoDort,pursuingtheirwayunderskilfulguidancebytheshortestpossibleroutesthroughthewindingsoftheriver,whichheldinitswateryembracesomanyenchantinglittleislands,edgedwithwillowsandrushes,andaboundinginluxuriousvegetation,whereonflocksoffatsheepbrowsedinpeacefulsleepiness.CraekefromafaroffrecognisedDort,thesmilingcity,atthefootofahilldottedwithwindmills.Hesawthefineredbrickhouses,mortaredinwhitelines,standingontheedgeofthewater,andtheirbalconies,opentowardstheriver,deckedoutwithsilktapestryembroideredwithgoldflowers,thewonderfulmanufactureofIndiaandChina;andnearthesebrilliantstuffs,largelinessettocatchthevoraciouseels,whichareattractedtowardsthehousesbythegarbagethrowneverydayfromthekitchensintotheriver.