Haarlem

           Haarlem,whither,threedaysago,weconductedourgentlereader,andwhitherwerequesthimtofollowusoncemoreinthefootstepsoftheprisoner,isapleasantcity,whichjustlypridesitselfonbeingoneofthemostshadyinalltheNetherlands.

           Whileothertownsboastofthemagnificenceoftheirarsenalsanddock-yards,andthesplendouroftheirshopsandmarkets,Haarlem’sclaimstofamerestuponhersuperioritytoallotherprovincialcitiesinthenumberandbeautyofherspreadingelms,gracefulpoplars,and,morethanall,uponherpleasantwalks,shadedbythelovelyarchesofmagnificentoaks,lindens,andchestnuts.

           Haarlem,—justasherneighbour,Leyden,becamethecentreofscience,andherqueen,Amsterdam,thatofcommerce,—Haarlempreferredtobetheagricultural,or,morestrictlyspeaking,thehorticulturalmetropolis.

           Infact,girtaboutasshewas,breezyandexposedtothesun’shotrays,sheseemedtooffertogardenerssomanymoreguaranteesofsuccessthanotherplaces,withtheirheavyseaair,andtheirscorchingheat.

           OnthisaccountalltheserenesoulswholovedtheearthanditsfruitshadgraduallygatheredtogetheratHaarlem,justasallthenervous,uneasyspirits,whoseambitionwasfortravelandcommerce,hadsettledinRotterdamandAmsterdam,andallthepoliticiansandselfishworldlingsattheHague.

           WehaveobservedthatLeydenoverflowedwithscholars.InlikemannerHaarlemwasdevotedtothegentlepursuitsofpeace,—tomusicandpainting,orchardsandavenues,grovesandparks.Haarlemwentwildaboutflowers,andtulipsreceivedtheirfullshareofworship.