is derived from the name of this stream
and the dam built over it, in former days, on the spot where this
edifice is located.

"The Y, or the Ij, is an arm of the Zuyder Zee, and forms the diameter
of the half circle; but it is bent in the shape of a bow. The water is
admitted to the canals by the Amstel. At low tide the water in the
Zuyder Zee is only six or seven inches below the level of this river,
and great difficulty is experienced in obtaining a circulation of water
in the canals, where it stagnates, and affects the health of the city.
All the canals and openings from the sea are protected by flood-gates
and sluices. The canals which cut up the city divide it into no less
than ninety islands, connected by two hundred and fifty bridges.

"The entire town, its sluices, and even some of its canals, are built
upon piles; for the soil beneath is nothing but loose sand and bog mud.
In 1822 a vast warehouse sunk down into the mud, on account of the
weight of grain stored in it. Amsterdam is not only in peril from the
sea around it, but there is danger that the bottom may drop out.

"In the Spanish war, of which I have had so much to say since we entered
Holland, Amsterdam was held by the Duke of Alva, and, with this city as
the base of operations, he intended to conquer the country. The siege of
Harlem was conducted from this direction.

"A small fleet of Dutch armed vessels was frozen up near this city, and
a force was sent to capture them by the Spanish commander. The crews
opened a wide trench in the ice around their vessels, and, putting on
their skates as the besiegers approached, advanced to give them battle.
The Dutchmen, perfectly at home on skates, out-manoeuvred and beat the
Spaniards, who left several hundred of their dead on the ice. The duke
was astonished; but he was a prudent man, and ordered seven thousand
pairs of skates, upon which his troops were trained to perform military
movements."

"That was a big thing on ice," said one of the students, as the lecture
closed.

In the course of the day the party visited the _Oude Kerk_, or Old
Church, containing "a big organ," the _Niewe Kerk_, which has monuments
to De Ruiter, Van Speyk, and others.

"You will not have an opportunity to go to church in Holland, Paul,"
said the doctor.

"No, sir; I suppose we sail for Havre this week."

"Most of the people go to church; but they do not observe the Sabbath
very rigidly. Gentlemen sit with their hats on