“But this is a much better looking town than Hamburg, mamma.”
“Yes, indeed; the buildings are much handsomer here,” she assented.
“O, how lovely!” “How splendid!” cried Nettie and Allan in a breath, as they came upon a fine open space, ornamented with a lake, and wooded island in its centre.
“This is the Vyverberg,” the boatman said.
“Mamma, how good of you to bring us here!” cried the children; “it is perfectly splendid!”
Well might they say so. The square containing the lovely lake and island was surrounded by the handsomest and chief public edifices of the city, the finest one of them all being the former palace of Prince Maurice, now the National Museum, celebrated for its gallery of pictures.
The Royal Museum and other famous buildings were there; but that to which our party’s attention was most closely drawn was the hotel.
It stood facing the lake, a broad, comfortable-looking brick building, with heavy balconies, and frowning eaves and ornamental stucco work surrounded its doorways and windows. Between it and the avenue lay a beautiful garden, and just beyond the building was a small shady grove.
“Mamma,” exclaimed Nettie, “I do think the Germans and Dutch have the most exquisite gardens in the world.”
“They are certainly very beautiful,” said Mrs. Hyde. “Here in Holland great attention is paid to the culture of flowers. Indeed, some of the finest varieties are raised here, and Holland bulbs are among our choicest varieties.”