THE LAND OF DYKES AND DITCHES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXI, 23 November 1895, Page 654

THE LAND OF DYKES AND DITCHES.

'Slow as a Dutchman’ is the saying. Rather let it be said, * Persevering and thorough as a Dutchman.’ 'Time for everything,’ and ' Everything that is worth doing at ail is worth doing well.’ Their very existence as an independent nation at this time is proof of their unflinching perseverance in defending their rights, in accomplishing what they undertook to do. If it were not for their patient labonr, their uncomplaining, spiderlike endurance, none of the good and useful and beautiful things could be seen which now are beheld by those who visit their country. Black stretches of marshy land would then probably be all that met the eye, the land of dykes and ditches it is called ; these very dykes and ditches are their pride and protection, the scene of their constant warfare and conquest. To mention one amongst the many marvels of engineering in which the country abounds —who would dream that the city of Amsterdam, with its stately buildings and many canals, is built on an artificial pole-foundation.

U N fortunate —Mrs Haw kins is a kind • hearted woman, and would not deliberately hurt any one’s feelings, but the other day a moment of absent-mindedness betrayed her into a sad blunder. 'Yes, Mrs Hawkins,’ said young Mr Brumley, * I was very ill. They were afraid of my losing my mind.’ * Ob, and did you, Mr Brumley ?’ asked Mrs Hawkins, with cordial interest.