we were not a little amused at a very strange fashion which we remarked in all the Dutch officers that of having the bosom, under the coat, so stuffed as to resemble the protuberance of the pigeon's breast. Many of these martial personages were fine-looking men, tall, and of a most military appearance.

I forgot to mention that on the morning of the 24th we had visited the palace at the Hague, under the guidance of a pretty young woman, whose office it was to show it. There was nothing worthy much observation, unless it might be the bed of the Princess Marianne, which was so curiously made and bolstered, that when in it she must have slept in a sitting position, quite upright, supported by an enormous pillow. After the opera, the night being remarkably fine, and all the world abroad, we strolled in the mall of the Palace in the Wood, and saw the illuminations and the populace, and heard the band play some very noisy music. Trombones and bells were so overpowering that they almost drowned the other instruments: but of all this you will have an account in the extract I am

about to give from the journal of Mr. Bray; so I shall say no more concerning it.

On the morrow, August 25th, we walked, after church, in the wood, and on passing the back of the palace found one of the canals close to it so offensive that we were obliged to hasten from the spot. Such a nuisance as this must, I apprehend, completely poison the gardens of the royal residence, as it borders them towards the wood. On the morning of the 26th we went to see the royal cabinet of curiosities, — a most interesting collection. It would be tedious, indeed impossible, to enumerate all the treasures and curiosities, from China, Japan, and India, that are here collected together, and arranged with the utmost order and neatness. I was delighted with the sight of the antique gems, medals, and cameos; these are beautiful beyond all description.

Amongst the gold medals, I must not omit to notice one, which struck us both as being of the highest interest; it was an antique medal of Alexander the Great most beautifully executed, and proves that, in feature and expression,

Napoleon Buonaparte exactly resembled that great conqueror of the Old World. Had this medal been seen by Dr. Croly, he would unquestionably have noticed the resemblance in his very striking parallel between the Macedonian king and the emperor of the French in his curious and most poetical work on the three cycles of Revelation. The large cameo of the apotheosis of Claudius, and a cup composed of ancient gems and jewels presented by Queen Elizabeth to the States of Holland, are, indeed, most precious; they are of the greatest possible beauty, and unique in their kind.

The present King of Holland (1839), who seems to be excellent in every thing, is so liberal, that whatever he purchases or possesses that is valuable, rare, or beautiful as a work of art, he invariably sends it to this cabinet that it may be open to the inspection of the public. All I have heard of him convinces me he is a man of a most magnanimous spirit. I was greatly struck with his countenance; it indicated a superior and lofty mind, a countenance which makes one think that the soul that gives it so much cha

racter must be incapable of a little or a commonplace feeling. I shall always remember having seen this great man and admirable prince with the utmost pleasure.

I now refer you to the following extract from the note-book of my husband:

"When we arrived at the Hague we found preparations going forward for the illumination of the wood near the palace, on account of the king's birthday on the morrow. The king has a palace here, which they call Le Palais au Bois, and another in the town. We were told that we might see either of them in which His Majesty was not for the time residing; for it seems that he goes from one to the other at short, though, I believe, certain intervals.

"On the following morning, therefore, we went to the palace in the town, most of which, in respect to carpets particularly, we found worse furnished than any gentleman's house in England; as for paintings, there were only a few portraits of the present royal family, and those little better than daubs. We had understood

that the king was a liberal patron of the arts, and were therefore greatly disappointed.

"One of his ministers, however, whose name I do not remember, though it should be recorded by every stranger for his liberality in permitting them to see it, has a most splendid collection of pictures by the first masters; but it is not improbable that he who rules over a nation which was so long accustomed to govern itself may wish to avoid, as much as possible, any thing that might wear the appearance of exclusiveness, or even marked superiority; and, indeed, it is probable that his conduct may be ac ounted for from a still better principle, namely, that of patriotism, for, if I am not mistaken, he has been a munificent donor to the museum and different institutions in his kingdom.

"A young female of prepossessing appearance and manners attended us round the palace. She spoke a little English, and amused us by saying that there would be lightning (instead of illumination) throughout the town in the evening in honour of His Majesty's birthday; she was not, however, quite correct, as it was confined