’WHERE THE WINDMILL SURVIVES

Evening Star, Issue 19616, 23 July 1927, Page 4

’WHERE THE WINDMILL SURVIVES

THE PRIDE OF HOLLAND (Written by Geoege Cecil for the ‘ Evening Star.’) Although in most countries steam power has been adopted, and even by the miller in a more or less small way of business, it is less universal than might bo supposed. In certain parts of the Continent of Europe, tucked away in obscure corners, water-driven mills are to be found, some of which, judging from the rusted state of their machinery, have not been working overtime. Compared, however, with the windmill, they distinctly arc in a minority, for in Holland, Belgium, and in the north of France the antiquated (but extremely picturesque) windmill may be met with everywhere. Holland, of course, has been its home lor many decades; it is part and parcel of the national life of the country, and, no doubt, contributes to the national character. Indeed, for a very long time the phlegmatic Dutch looked askance at anything in the way of an innovation, no matter how innocent the invention. , . Holland, like other countries, has fallen into line with the march of commercial progress; but the windmill has not been discarded. It adds to the attractiveness of countless landscapes, appeals to painters by the score, and incidentally, it serves the _ still more useful purpose for which it is destined. During the late war the Netherlands, having preferred neutrality, the ; Dutch windmill remained unscathed.

MOURNFUL HEAPS OF STONES

Belgium, alas! has been less fortunate. True, the northern districts were not touched; but many a frontier windmill was laid low. The windmill at Mont des Cats, overlooking Ypres, formed an observation point, and consequently drew the enemy’s fare. By a miracle it was left standing, although the massive walls were, and still are, pretty well knocked about. Another windmill was pounded day alter day, to escape with nothing worse than having its wings shot away—a result which suggests uncommonly poor marksmanship. A third was literally blown to smithereens by a bomb dropped with devilish accuracy by a ’plane. Others have shared the same fate; lor miles, in short, the land is marked by mournful heaps of stone, brides, and mortar, which were once solidly-built windmills, each with a hundred —and more —years' work behind it. They arc, indeed, a.dismal sight. Luckily, Belgium has recovered herself quickly. So in most places new windmills nave risen on the sites ot the old ones, and grinding once again keeps the miller busy. Yet, the picturesque appearance has vanished, while the bricks of to-day are a poor substitute ■ for the ancient and mellowed variety. One associates ago with so old-time an erection as a windmill. FRENCH RUINS. On the French side of ho frontier the battlefields are remarkable lor many a ruin which formerly was a windmill. Happily, a percentage have survived ilie shells which loro paso them, or which, bursting in their neighborhood, damaged other property. Several hardly were scratched and resumed operations on the declaration of the armistice. Others, though unscathed, remained closed till peace was declared. Before inviting “ a continuance of your kind patronage” the millers, douce men, satisfied themselves that the wai really was over. To-day they are as busy as ever, especially m districts which are far from a town, and of those there arc a number. In the centre and in the south of France comparatively few windmills *©- ioiee the eye, while some, beyond serving as landmarks, are put to no use. They decorate the countryside; but m no other direction do the quaint old affairs fulfil any sort of purpose. “ Dm, crest mi vieux moulin," remarks tho simple-minded guide, evidently imagining that the “ stranger from afar has never before seen such a thingFARMER AND MILLER COMBINED. Flour being on sale at most village shops in Holland, Belgium, and I ( ranee, the surprised reader may ask why the owner of a windmill takes the trouble to grind tho very small quantity of corn which his mill will accommodate. Unalterable habit demands the practice, for in the Near West a custom which has been handed down Ironi time immemorial is as hard to kill as it would be. in the unchanging far East. “The mill.” argues tho oldfashioned miller, “is here; so, too, is the wind. My father used it, as also did his father and grandfather. -Does not the family record show that when Hie great Napoleon passed this way ray ancestor provided him with flour ? Besides, 'tis an economy to supply my household first-hand, and, in this age of strikes and inflated prices, to bo independent of the trade.” . . . Bo far as Northern Franco is concerned, the retail price of Hour influences the miller’s decision considerably. He is, above all things, of a saving nature, his chief aim in life being to put by money. The ** houliomnio. * without exactly being a miser, has the hoarding instinct. The windmill usually is the property of a farmer, in addition to providing sufficient flour for his bakehouse and kitchen, it grinds the corn needed by the tenants, whose trifling holdings produce sufficient wheat and rye lor their modest requirements. Should the farmer’s he the only mill in the district, he places it at the disposal or all who may wish to use it, charging a sum which, if not excessive, swells the family nest-egg. Where mills are scarce there is often a waiting list of “clients.”

ROMANCE. In Holland the windmill is put to a most romantic use. At certain times ot the year the marriageable young women, clustering beneath its whirling wings, ask the gentle breeze questions concerning their suitors “Tell ns, D kind windmill, docs dan s partiality i'.r ‘schnapps’ fuddle his reputed brauif \nd is that why he hesitates to demand mv hand? ” “Young Van Rooy danced four times with me yesterday, rmcl nskod i"ny rutisin if I should have a ‘dot.’ Is he"after my mnnev or nu>? ” “ Young Anton said that only Dutch girls make good wives, and then Jie looked in my direction fondly. _ Tell me, most knowing of windmills, is he serious? ” “ Hans, my promised one, has a roguish eye and is a. known philanderer. Am I wise in giving n't maidenly heart into his keeping. Tho artless girls believe that the obliging wind vouchsafes a “Yes’ or “No,” and they are content with tho reply, unless, of course, future cioiits enlighten them. That so matter-of-fact a race as the Dutch should make oritclcs ot their windmills is strange. Still, the perturbed lassos nlwavs have rounded m them, and tho agreeable custom will probably continue until doomsday.