We must not be understood as saying that everything in the historical novels mentioned below is suitable for girls of every age. Children should not read them; but these articles are not intended for children. Adults who are in the habit of choosing what they shall read must discriminate among them, always remembering that they should be taken side by side with more “solid reading.”
Lily Watson.
(To be continued.)
[THE HEAD-DRESS OF THE LADIES OF HOLLAND.]
The peculiar head-dress worn by the ladies of Holland during the last thousand years, and known as the Friesland cap, has undergone no change whatever from the time of its adoption until now, and yet it is not becoming, nor does it in any way add to the grace and beauty of the women.
Much curiosity has been expressed as to its origin, and why its form has been so strictly adhered to while every other article of dress has changed its fashion with the seasons. We might never have been able to solve the problem but for the discovery of a legend by a great authority on Frisian lore. The following is but a bare outline.
Some twelve hundred years ago a celebrated preacher of the Gospel appeared among the Frisians. His influence upon the people was remarkable, especially upon Fostedina, the prime minister’s daughter, a beautiful girl of eighteen. She took a deep interest in his words and in the hymns sung by his followers, and but for fear of her father and the priest would have acknowledged herself a Christian. The priest attached to the Court was a cruel man, and furious with all who adopted the Christian religion. He not only imprisoned them, but threatened that unless they should recant he would cast them into the arena among the wolves and wild boars.