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though belonging to the German confederacy, is always to form a part of the kingdom of the United Netherlands. 3d, All the guarantees of individual liberty and personal property are retained. 4th, Every arbitrary arrest is forbidden. 5th, If, on an urgent occasion, the government causes the arrest of an individual, he must be brought before a judge, assigned him by the law, within three days. 6th, No one can, on any pretext whatever, be withdrawn from the jurisdiction of this judge. 7th, The unjust penalty of confiscation is abolished. 8th, All judicial sentences must be pronounced in public. Those in civil cases, must contain the grounds on which they are founded. In criminal cases, they must declare the circumstances of the crime, and the law applied by the judge. 9th, No one can be deprived of his property, except for the public benefit and for a reasonable indemnity. 10th, The abode of every subject of the king is inviolable. 11th, The right of petitioning, duly regulated, is recognized by the law. It admits of no privileges in respect of taxes. 12th, Every subject of the king is eligible to all employments, without distinction of birth or religious belief. 13th, The liberty of the press will have no other restraint than the responsibility of him who writes, prints, or distributes. 14th, The committee have placed among the first duties of the government that of protecting public instruction. 15th, The most precious of all rights, that of liberty of conscience, is guaranteed as formally as it is possible to be. 16th, The committee, after a lapse of ten years, propose to consider as definitive, and as making a part of the fundamental law, the dispositions of the statutes emanating from the king, or approved by him, relative to the right of electing the members of the several assemblies, and the right of sitting in them. Each State has its assemblies, which are convoked annually, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the monarch. The members are in two classes, nobles and citizens. With the assembly of the citizens or burghers rests the local administration, and jointly with the nobles the power of enacting provincial laws. A commissary, or administrator, nominated by the monarch, is joined to each assembly of the provincial States. 17th, The present number of deputies sent by the northern provinces (the former Seven United Provinces) remains unchanged. That of the southern provinces has been regulated in an equitable manner, paying particular attention to their population, and to the proportional number of deputies by which they have already been represented. 18th, Those members of the States General who enjoy large fortunes, whether vested in land, lent to the State, or usefully employed in supporting the national commerce, are proposed by the committee to be nominated for life, (in order to form a distinct chamber, similar to the British house of lords,) and that this nomination shall emanate from the king. The spirit of a monarchical government prescribes it, and the interest of the nation demands it. This prerogative will give the sovereign an influence over the higher classes of society, which will be useful to all. It has been the constant rule of our conduct, say the committee, and the inviolable guide of our labours, to bring our institutions to the essence of a limited monarchy. 19th, The king proposes to the second chamber, elected by the provincial States every three years, the projects of laws which have been deliberated upon in his own council of State, the members of which are nominated by himself. 20th, This chamber, where members are 110 in number, examines them, and having adopted them, sends them to the other chamber, to be examined there in the same manner. 21st, The chamber, whose members are chosen for life, receives

and discusses the propositions which the other thinks it proper to make to the king. It never makes any itself. 22d, It adopts the proposition, and transmits it to the king, who gives or refuses his sanction. 23d, In order to preserve this precious advantage, the sitting of the States General shall be rendered public. This publicity, however, shall be restrained within limits, which may prevent all kinds of abuse, and remove all kinds of danger. The judges are also declared irremoveable by the executive. The committee by which the preceding articles were drawn up, consisted of 600 persons, chosen by the Dutch nation, out of a numerous list given in by the king, in proportion to the population of each of the departments. These articles were declared by royal decree of the 24th August 1815, to form the fundamental law of the country, or Grond wet voor het Koning syk der Nederlanden.

This new constitution has some resemblance to that of the British; but the sovereign is invested with a greater preponderance than what the British constitution allows the king of Great Britain. The second chamber, or lower house of parliament, differs considerably from our house of commons, not only in its mode of nomination, but in its functions and dignity. The members accept a petty salary, amounting to about £220; they can originate no motion; and their influence is comparatively inconsiderable. The Belgic peers-who are between 40 and 60 in number— are equally limited in their privileges, and receive a salary of £270. The king can hold no foreign crowns, nor remove the seat of government out of the kingdom. The secretary of State receives £1,670; the minister of Finance, the minister of justice, (lord chancellor), and the minister of the interior, the same sum. Governors of provinces £750; the postmaster-general about £830; the ministers of war and marine £1,250.

Revenue.] The amount of direct and indirect taxes levied on this kingdom averages about 14 Rhenish florins or 28 shillings sterling, to each individual. The annual revenue scarcely exceeds £7,000,000, and the expenditure fully equals it. Among other causes which contribute to prevent a cordial co-operation between the recently united portions of this kingdom is the public debt. This debt was almost wholly contracted by the seven United Provinces, and is principally owing to the great capitalists of Holland. The Belgians therefore feel that the Union has loaded them with more than their due burden. The amount of the debt is as follows:

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Belgian debt, principally contracted by Austria, but assumed by the new government,

Florins. 1,131,000,137 510,000,000

34,466,679

1,675,466,816

Or nearly £170,000,000 sterling, the active portion of which bears interest at 2 or 2 per cent.

Armed Force.] The army of the Netherlands at present consists of about 62,000 men, divided into 12 battalions of infantry of the line, 17 in garrison, 3 of chasseurs, and 51 of militia. The cavalry consists of 4 divisions of cuirassiers, 2 regiments of dragoons, and 2 of hussars, besides a corps of engineers, and 9 companies of Marechausée or police soldiers in the southern provinces. There is a military academy at Delft. The navy at present consists of 16 men of war, and 30 frigates and smaller vessels.

CHAP. VI.-TOPOGRAPHY-NORTHERN PROVINCES.

THE most natural division of the Netherlands is into Northern and Southern Provinces. The former are 9 in number, and are divided into 32 districts and 185 cantons. They include the whole of the former Republic of Holland, with the exception of the town of Maestricht, the county of Broenhove a part of Limburg, and a part of Guelderland.

PROVINCE OF HOLLAND-Physical Features.] This is an entirely level country, in many districts lower than the sea, and in others only a few feet above it. On the W. side along the German ocean, natural downs or sand-hills, protect the country from the inroads of the ocean, and along the Zuydersee, and to the most northern point of Holland, this is done by dykes, which also intersect the interior of the country, and form what are called polders, that is, districts entirely surrounded by dykes, and from which the water is drawn by windmills and conducted into canals. The water-mill is hardly known in Britain, with the exception perhaps of the fens of Lincolnshire. It is au upright shaft turned by vanes or sails, which give motion to a wheel and pinion used for turning an Archimedean screw pump, which delivers the water at the height of 4 or 5 feet into an open drain or ditch running into the Maese. These pumps are said to lift several hundred tons of water in the course of a few hours. Several lakes and swamps have in this manner been changed into fertile polders, and now bear a rich vegetation. Near the coast the soil is sandy and sterile. The principal rivers are the Rhine and the Maese or Meuse. The Y is an arm of the sea connected with the Zuydersee. The sea or lake of Haarlem is also connected with the Y.

Climate and Productions.] The climate is damp, misty, and unhealthy; and as there is no good spring-water, rain water is generally used. The rich meadows are favourable to the rearing of cattle, which are excellent, particularly in the northern part of the province. Butter and cheese are prepared here in great quantity. Gardening has been carried to great perfection; the flowers reared here possess great beauty, and seeds and roots are sold at high prices. The principal manufactures are linen, cloth, and earthen-ware. There are also some sugar-refineries and distilleries.

Population.] The majority of the inhabitants are Calvinists, and are distinguished by many features of character from the mass of the nation. They are likewise the wealthiest, and singularly preserve at the same time the greatest simplicity of manners and customs. The dress generally consists of dark grey-coloured cloth, made into a short jacket, and vest and breeches of a somewhat singular cut. They have generally large silver buckles at their shoes and knees, and a large round full-brimmed hat. The women's hat is of straw lined with calico, measuring fully 2 feet in diameter, and answering all the purposes of an umbrella. The number of villages in this province in proportion to its extent is surprising. It is divided into the two governments of South Holland and North Holland.

The Hague, &c.] In the former of these divisions is the Hague, the residence of the king, and seat of the ministry and high court of justice. Its population is estimated at 49,000 souls. Its streets are regular, most of them are paved with light-coloured brick; and some of them are cut by canals. Palaces and fine buildings alternate here with gardens and public walks, and the number of houses amounts to about 6,200. Ther are a high school, several scientific and literary societies, and a French

a Dutch theatre established here. In the neighbourhood is the royal villa of Oraniensaal, with an excellent gallery of pictures. The Hague was the birth-place of the learned Johannes Secundus, the great mathematician Chr. Huygens, and the anatomist Ruysch.-Ryswick village with 1,668 inhabitants is celebrated by the peace of 1697.-Rhynsburg, a small village of little more than 1000 inhabitants, gives its name to the Rhynsburgian Collegiants, a religious sect who assemble here twice a year for the purpose of celebrating the sacrament.-At Katwyk-op-zee, a village with 2,469 inhabitants, there is a very ingenious canal, long considered a master-piece of hydraulics, which conducts the old Rhine into the sea. In the neighbourhood of this stood the Huis de Britten, or house of the Brittons,' a castle said to have been built by the Romans, which was swallowed by the sea, but of which the ruins are still to be seen when the water is low.

Leyden.] The city of Leyden, situated at the distance of 4 miles from the German ocean, on the ancient bed of the Rhine, is a city of considerable antiquity. It has many handsome buildings, and particularly a church, which for magnificence is not surpassed by any in Holland. This city is said to contain 17 churches, 24 canals, 50 islands, 145 bridges, 180 streets, 3,017 houses, and 28,600 inhabitants. The number of bridges is owing to the great quantity of branches into which the ancient Rhine here divides itself. The fortifications are of brick. This city obtained deserved celebrity for its brave defence in 1574 during a siege of five months by the Spaniards. The women lined the ramparts, and performed all the duties of a soldier; and many sallies were made by them, under the conduct of a female named Kennava. Above 10,000 persons died of disease and famine during the blockade. Just as they were on the point of capitulating, advice was brought, by means of pigeons, that relief was at hand. Accordingly on the 3d of October, the dykes of the Maese and Yssel being opened, Boissot, the admiral of Zeeland, advanced with a number of flat-bottomed boats, while the Spaniards, beholding the sudden inundation, abandoned the siege, and all the works which they had constructed to blockade the place. About 1500 of the Spaniards perished by the inundation, in the attempt to escape. In memory of this remarkable siege, medals were struck: and a spectacle of the siege is represented every seven years. In 1655, the people of Leyden were visited by the plague, which carried off 4000 persons. The University of Leyden, which was founded in 1575, is the largest, most ancient, and famous, of all the Dutch seminaries of learning and science. Besides a library of 60,000 books, it has above 14,000 MSS., among which are 2000 Oriental MSS. The very learned Joseph Justus Scaliger, who was rector of this university, gave them 87 manuscripts; Dr Warner, 956; and the Arabic professor Golius, brought 221 from the East. There are only two endowed colleges here; the rest of the students living where they please in the city. The professors wear gowns when they give lectures; but the students have no distinct habits. Each professor, besides his fees, has a salary of £300 per annum, from the State. When in its glory, this university was frequented by above 2000 students, and has been successively furnished with able and learned professors, as Scaliger, Junius, Gomarus, Drusius, Vossius, Erpenius, Golius, Cocceius, the elder and the younger Spanheim, the elder and the younger Schultens, Witsius, Bernard de Moor, and the illustrious Boerhaave. Here is an excellent physic-garden, well-stored with scarce and valuable plants; and a long gallery where the professor of botany

reads his lectures. Its theatre for anatomy was till lately esteemed the finest in Europe. This university bore the palm for medical celebrity, till that of Edinburgh succeeded to its honours and surpassed it in fame. Leyden was the birth-place of the celebrated painters Lucas van Leyden, and Rembrandt, and also of the philosopher Muschenbroek.

Rotterdam.] The city of Rotterdam is situated at the head of an inlet on the north bank of the Maese, which here, though 20 miles above its mouth, forms a large estuary between 30 and 40 feet deep. It contains 15 churches, 6621 houses, and 66,000 inhabitants. It takes its name from the small stream called the Rotta, which falls into the Maese. Its trade is next to that of Amsterdam; and it is much frequented by British merchants, because its harbour, though frozen in winter, is open in spring much more early than that of Amsterdam; and the passage to it is more expeditious than that to the metropolis through the Zuydersee, so that the British merchants choose rather to despatch their vessels to Rotterdam, and to have their goods transported to Amsterdam, by small vessels upon the canals. In 1817, the number of ships which arrived in this harbour was 1,771. The city is triangular; the streets are long, but often narrow; and the pavement is commonly of brick. The greater part of the houses are built of the same materials. Every principal street has a canal of such depth that vessels of 200 or 300 tons may proceed to the owner's door, and land their cargo. The banks of the canals are planted with trees, and the whole affords a highly picturesque scene in the intermixture of trees, houses, and masts of vessels. The finest street extends along the Maese, and is called the Boomtjes. The church of St Laurence in this city has an organ 50 feet high, and an exquisite brass screen separating the nave from the choir. This city has acquired some celebrity from being the birth-place of Erasmus, one of the most elegant and classical of the Dutch writers. His statue in bronze is seen in the marketplace; and the house in which he was born is distinguished by a Latin inscription. Admiral de Witt is buried in the cathedral of this city. The inhabitants are extremely fond of water-parties, and have many pleasure-boats upon the Maese, which are handsomely fitted up. Schiedam on the Schie, with 10,000 inhabitants, contains no less than 200 distilleries which make gin from rye and barley, by a process nearly similar to that of making whiskey from the latter, and some other manufactories.-Delft, a town on the Schie, with 12,900 inhabitants, contains the mausoleum of Prince William of Orange, who was assassinated here in 1584, and that of Hugo Grotius, who was born here, both in the new church, which has a steeple 300 feet high. In the old church is the monument of admiral Tromp.-Dortrecht, with 17,387 inhabitants, maintains an extensive commerce in wood, Rhine wine, flax, and dried fish. It was the birth-place of De Witt.-Briel is a fortified town near the mouth of the Maese, with 3,300 inhabitants. By the taking of this town by the Count of Lumay, the first foundation of Dutch freedom was laid. Helvoetsluys is a fortified town with a harbour, docks and magazines. Its population is estimated at 1,208 souls. At this port travellers usually embark for England, the distance between the island of Schoen on the Dutch coast, and Lowestoff on the English coast being only about 93 miles. The harbour here commands a draught of 21 feet at low water, near the entrance; but the interior has only 11 feet. The perpendicular rise of the tide on these shores is 8 or 9 feet.

Amsterdam.] The principal city in North Holland is Amsterdam.

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