Though it was the residence of the stadtholders in former times, it was
only a small village, and its notable features are of modern origin.
Barneveldt was executed and the De Witts murdered here. The Picture
Gallery and the Museum were specially opened for the young Americans.
The works of art were hastily viewed, and the students passed into the
Cabinet of Curiosities, of which there is a vast collection, including
an immense number of dresses, implements, and models illustrating life
in Japan and in China.

Among the historical relics are the armor worn by the admirals De Ruiter
and Van Tromp; the portrait and sword of Van Speyk, who blew up his
vessel on the Scheldt; a part of the bed of Czar Peter the Great, on
which he slept while working at ship-building; the last shirt and
waistcoat worn by William III. of England; the dress in which the Prince
of Orange was murdered; the pistol of the assassin, with two of the
bullets; a model of Peter's cabin at Zaandam, or Sardam, and many other
objects of interest which seemed to bring the distant past before the
eye of the beholders.

Early the next morning the students were roaming at will through the
city, anxious to see what they could of its handsome streets, the
principal of which is the Voorhout, lined with trees, and flanked with
splendid edifices. After breakfast the train bore them on to Leyden. On
the way, at the suggestion of Mr. Fluxion, the train, which was a
special, was stopped, and the students were allowed half an hour to
explore some beautiful gardens which abounded in this vicinity. Many of
them belonged to the country seats of wealthy gentlemen, and were as
magnificent as fairyland itself.

But what pleased Paul more than the gardens of rich men, was an
opportunity to visit the house and grounds of a citizen in humbler life.
Mr. Fluxion asked the permission, which was readily granted.

"You needn't take your shoes off here, as you must in some parts of
Holland, before you enter a house; but you must wipe them very
carefully," said the vice-principal. "The greatest sin against a Dutch
housewife is to carry any dirt into her premises."

Paul made sure that not a particle of dust clung to his feet, and
entered the cottage. It was plainly furnished; but everything was as
clean, and white, and neat as though the room had been the interior of
the upper bureau drawer. Dr. Winstock ventured the remark, that Dutch
husbands must be the most miserable men in