EXPLANATION of a VIEW of the CITY OF AM S T IS RD AM » exhibiting at the PANORAMA , S Til AN B. 
 
 1 Sckreiy'ers Tower 
 
 2 JifontAlbaans Tower 
 
 3 Yonder Oude Zi/ds Chop el 
 
 4 South Church 
 3 Few Bridge 
 
 COld Church ■ 
 
 7 Texe l Quay 
 
 8 Kinys Palace 
 
 9 JVew Church 
 
 10 SpaamdammerTridye 
 
 11 
 
 12 Western- Church 
 
 13 Few Zutherun Chu-rch 
 14Herriny Packery 
 
 IS Zaandam Stairs 
 
 Id Haarlem Sluice 
 17'Herring Padkery Tower 
 18Forth Church 
 1-9 Fish „Market 
 
 20Prooyhak - 
 2Uldusc2e Stairs 
 
 22 Wood Cardens 
 
 23 Haarlem ■ Cate 
 
 24Zsland Church 
 
 29 Fast Zann 
 
 34Buil<sloot 
 
 26 DockYards 
 
 30 Haarlem Sluice Zoom 
 
 35Troek 
 
 20Realen Truly e 
 
 31 Pleasure Houses 
 
 36 Zunderdorp 
 
 ZJ Sand Taint 
 
 32Zimdsmeer 
 
 3/Fiver Y 
 
 28 Zaandam 
 
 33 Firmer End 
 
 38 Foil House 
 
 39 JVew Candl 
 40JVieuwendam 
 41 Pansdorp 
 42Burgerdcan 
 43 Ziyh t House 
 
 44 Pampas 
 46 HorsePobzt 
 46Past India Warehouses 
 4 7'Royal Dock Yard 
 48 East Churcli 
 
 49Royal Warehouses 
 SO Cran e 
 
 61 Flounder-House 
 
 62 Office for Boats toFieuwe Biep 
 and JVorth Holland. 
 
DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF A VIEW OF 
 
 THE CITY AND HARBOUR 
 
 OF 
 
 AMSTERDAM, 
 
 NOW EXHIBITING AT THE 
 
 PANORAMA, STRAND. 
 
 PAINTED BY THE PROPRIETOR, 
 
 ROBERT BURFORD, 
 
 FROM DRAWINGS TAKEN BY HIMSELF FOR THAT PURPOSE. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 J, AND C. ADLARD, PRINTERS, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE. 
 
 1830. 
 
VIEWS 
 
 OF 
 
 CALCUTTA, 
 
 AND OF THE 
 
 TOWN OF SYDNEY, 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES; 
 
 ARE NOW OPEN 
 
 AT THE 
 
 PANORAMA, LEICESTER SQUARE. 
 
AMSTERDAM, 
 
 The Capital of the province of Holland, and the largest, richest, 
 and most populous City of the United Netherlands. It stands 
 at the conflux of the river Amstel and an arm of the Zuyder 
 Zee, called the Y ; and is so completely surrounded by water 
 and extensive marshes, that it is esteemed a place of conside¬ 
 rable strength. From the river, whence the Panorama is taken, 
 although not magnificent, it presents a picturesque and very 
 pleasing appearance. From the land, the numerous windmills 
 form the most conspicuous objects; but, as a work of art and 
 labour, the city stands an extraordinary monument of human 
 industry and perseverance, having been, as well as nearly the 
 whole of Holland, redeemed from the sea, (many parts lying as 
 much as forty feet below its level;) the city, covering a space 
 ecjual to 18,790 square geometrical feet, divided into ninety 
 islands, connected by 290 bridges of wood and stone, being 
 entirely erected on piles of wood; in allusion to which, 
 Erasmus, when he first visited it, said u the inhabitants, like 
 crows, lived on the tops of trees.” 
 
 In 1204, it consisted of a small castle, called “ Amstel,” and 
 a few huts, principally inhabited by fishermen, situated in a 
 deep and pestilential morass. From that period may the com¬ 
 mencement of the present extensive city be dated: a bridge, 
 churches, and forts, were shortly erected, and the whole en¬ 
 closed by palisadoes. By the close of the fourteenth century, 
 it was generally known as a considerable commercial town. In 
 1490, walls and fortifications of brick were first erected as a 
 defence against the inhabitants of Utrecht. About the same 
 time it suffered severely from fire, but was soon rebuilt. It was 
 one of the last cities that embraced the reformed religion : so 
 great was the attachment of the citizens to popery, that, after 
 sustaining a siege of ten months in 1578, they only consented 
 to treat with the Prince of Orange on condition of preserving 
 their form of worship without limitation: this article not being 
 strictly adhered to, it became the rendezvous of all nations and 
 sects, and, by enterprise and industry, rose to importance and 
 opulence, and was for two centuries one of the greatest trading 
 cities of Europe. To meet this great increase, the bounds were 
 several times extended ; and in 1675 the present fortifications 
 were erected. In 1787, it surrendered to the King of Prussia, 
 who invaded Holland in favor of the Statholder; and in 1 795 
 erected the tree of Liberty, and received the French troops 
 Strand. 
 
4 
 
 without resistance. From this period various causes led to the 
 decline of its commerce. In 1806, Napoleon, having obtained 
 the imperial diadem, conferred the crown of Holland on his 
 brother Louis, which he resigned four years after. The United 
 Provinces being then annexed to France, Amsterdam became 
 the capital of the department of the Zuyder Zee, and the third 
 city of the empire, ranking after Paris and Rome. In 1813, it 
 was the first place that expelled the French, and declared for 
 the restoration of the House of Orange; and in 1814 became 
 part of the kingdom of the Netherlands, William Prince of 
 Orange taking the title of King. 
 
 The form of the city is nearly semicircular, about nine miles 
 in circumference’, towards the land it is defended by twenty- 
 six bastions, each surmounted by a windmill, and a fosse eighty 
 feet in width. Five principal canals, running nearly in parallel 
 lines, cross it breadthwise, which are intersected by others into 
 almost every street, mostly supplied by the river Amstcl, which 
 crosses the city, dividing it into the old or eastern, and the new 
 or western, towns. Numerous dykes and sluices secure it from 
 inundation, to which its lour situation would otherwise render it 
 liable. The canals are generally eight or nine feet deep of 
 water, and about half as much of mud, which, when disturbed 
 by the passage of a barge, sends forth a most offensive effluvia. 
 Mills are constantly at work drawing up this mud, (which is 
 sent as manure to Brabant, &c.) and in giving motion to the 
 water. The sides are laid with hewn stone from Norway, and 
 are frequently adorned with row's of stately trees. Many are 
 of considerable width, particularly the Keysar’s Graft, or Em¬ 
 peror’s Canal (140 feet), the Heer Graft, Singe), &c. 
 
 1’he streets are in general well paved with brick, but have no 
 divided ways for pedestrians; they are lighted at night, and 
 kept extremely clean. Amsterdam contains eleven Dutch 
 churches of the established religion, one French, one English 
 presbyterian, twenty-two Catholic, three Lutheran, one Ana¬ 
 baptist, one Walloon, one Greek, and seven synagogues; 
 some of them very handsome buildings. The number of houses 
 is about 26,400 : some few are of stone, with pillars, balconies, 
 &c.; but the greater part are of brick, accurately laid in vari¬ 
 ous fantastic forms, giving them a very pleasing appearance. 
 'The chimneys are generally surmounted by a weathercock, as 
 Dutchmen always like to know from what quarter the wind 
 blows; the doors and windows are painted green, and many 
 have small gardens of well-selec ted and gaudy plants. In some 
 houses the lower apartments are occupied as shops, which are 
 prettily paved with marble brought from Italy as ballast, or 
 with Dutch tiles; in others, the upper stories are converted into 
 warehouses, the fronts being disfigured by folding doors and a 
 heavy crane. The interior of the houses of the higher classes 
 
o 
 
 are neat and elegant; the walls of some being painted in oil- 
 colours, with landscapes, &c. instead of paper, and all being 
 embellished with numerous paintings and prints. The furniture 
 is mostly in the French style, and the whole is kept in a most 
 astonishing state of cleanliness. 'Flic city is celebrated for the 
 number and excellence of its well-supported and useful charita¬ 
 ble institutions: it has also several literary societies, three 
 theatres, and two public gardens. Carriages with wheels are 
 but seldom seen ; it being supposed that they injure the founda¬ 
 tions of the city, they are discountenanced by the magistrates: 
 the vehicle in common use is a coach-body mounted on a sledge, 
 and drawn by one horse. Merchandize of every description is 
 also transported from the canals by sledges. The water in the 
 neighbourhood is so brackish and feculent, that even the com¬ 
 mon people refuse to use it: good water, therefore, for culinary 
 purposes, is an article of trade of considerable importance; die 
 best is brought from Weesp, a small town two leagues from the 
 city: those who cannot afford to purchase, substitute rain-water. 
 The number of inhabitants resident in Amsterdam is calculated 
 at 180,000: about one third are Calvinists, another third Ca¬ 
 tholics, and the remainder Jews, (of whom there are 17,000,) 
 Armenians, Lutherans, &c. 
 
 No. 1. Schreijers Tower. 
 
 The Tower of Tears, at the eastern extremity of the city, which was erected m 
 1482 . It was formerly the place, from whence a!! ships took tlicir departure, and 
 derived its name from the many tears shed on such occasions. A female was once 
 so affected at parting with her husband, that she entirely io-t her reason : to re¬ 
 cord the event, an effiey of a woman distracted with grief is carved on the stone- 
 wotk, bearing tlie date of 1559. 
 
 No. 2. Mont Aibaan’s Tower , 
 
 Erected in the year 1512. In 1606 it was rebuilt: four years after, the foun¬ 
 dations on one side having given way, it was strengthened by a wall four feet and 
 a bait in thickness, at which time a clock and a chime of bells were put up. it 
 formerly served to defend the port, and is at present occupied by persons con¬ 
 nected with the quays. 
 
 No. 3. Van der Oude Zijd's Chapel, 
 
 Dedicated to St. Olof, one of the early reformers, who is said to have lived oOO 
 years, and was buried at Drontheim : it was erected in the early part ot tlie 
 fifteenth century, and is consequently one of the oldest in the city; and it is 
 said that a small chapel, built after the model of that at Jerusalem, occupied the 
 site two centuries before the present church. It is u-cd by the Protestants; is 
 160 feet long by 90 broad ; the roof is supported by three large pillars, and the 
 four doors are ornamented with carved work in stone. It has a small tower and 
 clock. 
 
a 
 
 No. 4. The Southern Church, 
 
 Commenced in the year 1600, by a celebrated Dutch architect, Henry Keyzer; 
 and, although the work was suspended three years, opened in 1611. The tower, 
 which was completed forty years after, is 237 feet high. The interior is ex¬ 
 tremely neat. It is 138 feet" long, by 91 bioad; the roof is sustained by ten 
 columns ot stone. 
 
 No. 5. The New Bridge. 
 
 The mouth of the D’Amrak was opened on this spot in 1561, and was defend¬ 
 ed by a range of piles and a boom; shortly after, a wooden bridge was thrown 
 across. The present bridge was erected in 1681, and sluices formed to restrain 
 the waters of the Y, leaving two passages for vessels. 
 
 No. 6. The Old Church. 
 
 This is considered the oldest building in the city : the time of its foundation i? 
 unknown, but it is represented in a drawing of the city taken in the year 1300. 
 Before the Reformation it was dedicated to St. Nicholas and St. John the Baptist: 
 it then had nineteen chapels and thirty-three altars. On the east is a small spire; 
 and on the west stands a handsome tower, which, by an inscription, appears not 
 to have been finished until the year 1558. In 1723 the foundation gave way, and 
 was repaired, with great labour and expense, in three years. It contains a chime 
 of thiity-six musical bells, by the famous founder Hemoni, weighing together 
 57,363 pounds. The roof of the church is supported by forty-two stone columns. 
 It contains two good organs, and some fine stained glass. In the chapels ate the 
 tombs of many great men; amongst them Admiral Vander Hulst. Marshal Paul 
 Wnrtz, Isaac Swerius, G. Vander Zaan, &e., and a list of the citizens who were 
 massacred by the Anabaptists, May 10, 1535. 
 
 No. 7. Texel Quay and Stairs . 
 
 Boats from the Texel, Helder, &c. are always to be found at these stairs. 
 Beyond are the Harliuger Stairs, and at the near end the Meppel Stairs: passage 
 boats to these places start from these stairs only. On the quay is the house of the 
 toll-collector. 
 
 No. 8. The King's Palace, 
 
 Formerly the Stadt Huis. This magnificent building stands on 13,695 piles; the 
 first of which was driven on the 20th of January, 1618, and the last on the 6th 
 of October, when the first stone was laid; the magistrates, &c. took possession 
 seven years after. During the time it was building, the old Stadt Huis was burnt, 
 together w ith the archives of the city, See. It stands nearly in the centre of the 
 city, in an open square, and is built of freestone, handsomely ornamented with 
 carved work, statues, bronzes, &c. The front is 282 feet in length, having a 
 pavilion at each extremity, surmounted by eagles in gilt bronze, and a pediment 
 m the centre by A. Gnillm, of Antwerp. It is entered by seven small doors on 
 the ground ilcor, answering to the seven United Provinces. The depth of the 
 building is 222 feet, the height 116; and the circular tower, containing a fine 
 peal of musical bells, 67 more. The architect was James Van Campan, and the 
 whole is said to have cost two millions sterling. The interior is well arranged, the 
 apartments well proportioned, and handsomely adorned with carving, gilding, 
 and good paintings. 'The great hall is 152 feet long, 60 wide, and 100 high! 
 The treasury ol the celebrated Bank of Amsterdam was formerly in this building, 
 and was supposed to contain at least forty millions sterling of bullion: when the 
 French were in possession, the strong rooms were opened, but produced only 
 paper securities. The business of the Bank is now conducted in the south wing. 
 
 No. p. The New Church, 
 
 Dedicated to St. Catherine, commenced in 1408, at the sole expense of William 
 Fggaarts, a rich citizen; alter whose death the plan was altered, and the church 
 not finished for one bundled years. In 1645, the whole, excepting the four walls. 
 
7 
 
 was destroyed, by the negligence of a plumber leaving a fire in the roof. It via-, 
 immediately restored, and opened for divine service in three years. The steeple 
 stands on 6,363 piles, diiven in a square of 100 feet; but these being deemed 
 insufficient to suppoit the intended weight, it still remains in an unfinished 
 state. The church is 315 teet in length, and 120 in breadth. The roof is support¬ 
 ed by fifty-two stone pillars; and the seventy-five windows contain some remark¬ 
 ably fine specimens of ancient stained glass. The organ is large, and is reckoned 
 the finest in the world : it has three rows of keys for the hands, two for the feet, 
 and fifty-two stops, beside half-stops; one stop that closely resembles the human 
 voice, and a set of pipes that imitate a full chorus. The chancel is divided by a 
 fine grating of Corinthian brass ; and the pulpit, of acacia wood, is a masterpiece 
 of carving. Amongst many fine monuments, are. those of the celebrated Admiral 
 de Rnyter; Captain Bentinck, who was killed off' Dogget bank, in 1781 ; Admiral 
 lvingsbergen, erected by the Empress of Russia; Vondel, the Dutch Corneille; 
 David Zweerts; and John de Galen. 
 
 No. 10. Spaamdatn Bridge. 
 
 This bridge, which crosses the port, leads to the new City Hotel, a large and 
 well-regulated establishment, frequented by the captains of ships in the port, and 
 by travellers to and from the north of Holland. The present Panorama was taken 
 from this house. In the centre of the bridge a portion opens for the passage of 
 ships without lowering their masts: a similar contrivance is attached to almost 
 every bridge in the city. 
 
 No. 10. Jan Rcdenpoort’s Tower. 
 
 This tower, formerly one of the entrances to the city, was erected (round and 
 low) in 1482, and rebuilt, in its present square form, in 1616. It is the residence 
 of the provost; and several strong apartments in it are used as military prisons. 
 
 No. 12. The Western Church , 
 
 A handsome building, erected in 1620; 168 feet long, by 97 wide, with thirty- 
 eight windows. The tower is the highest in the city, being 261 feet to the impe¬ 
 rial crown: the base is thirty-eight feet in diameter; it contains a fine set of 
 musical bells. The interior of the church is extremely neat; five immense twisted 
 columns support the roof; and an excellent organ, enriched by sculpture and 
 painting, by Larisse, put up in 1687, rests on four pillars of red Egyptian marble. 
 
 No. 13. New Lutheran Church, 
 
 Erected in 1668, after apian by Dorsmem, intended to resemble St. Peter’s at 
 Rome. It is well built, solid, and round. The dome was formerly covered with 
 plates of biass, a present from Charles the Twelfth ot Sweden. In 1822, the 
 church was destroyed by fire, but was immediately restored on its former plan, 
 but a few feet higher. It is surrounded by two galleries, supported by massive 
 pillars, and has twelve large windows. The lantern is surmounted by a swau, 
 the emblem of Luther. 
 
 No. 14. The Herring Packery. 
 
 A long row of houses, occupied by sail makers, persons who deal in ships’ 
 provisions, &c. On the quay in front, the various occupations connected with 
 the herring fishery are conducted ; such as their being examined by proper 
 officers, who swear to their goodness, sorting the different qualities, and repack¬ 
 ing them for the foreign markets. 
 
 No. 15. Zaandam Stairs. 
 
 Near the Hei ring-packers’ Tower A large boat, for passengers, &<\ starts foi 
 Zaandam every hour. 
 
8 
 
 No. 16 . The Haarlem Sluice. 
 
 This bridge, with its locks and sluices, separates the waters of the Y from those 
 of the Singel. 
 
 No. 17. The Herring Packery Tower. 
 
 This tower, which is very ancient, was formerly called Heiligekruistoren, and 
 served as a defence to the city on the side of the Y. During the troubles of the 
 Low Countries, it served as a prison for the persecuted Reformists, trom whence 
 many were thrown into the river. In 1606 the tower was repaired, and the 
 foundations restored. In 1729 the foundations were again in a dangerous state, 
 and underwent considerable repairs. In the lower part are the apartments of the 
 officers who inspect the cashing and salting the herrings; it is also the rendezvous 
 of pilots. 
 
 The herring fisheries have always been a somce of great wealth to the Dutch: 
 they have for a long time engrossed nearly the whole of the foreign trade, al¬ 
 though strong efforts have been made at various periods, by allowing high bounties, 
 &c., to secure this profitable traffic to ourselves. The herrings appear towards 
 the end of June in shoals frequently six or seven miles in length, by four or five 
 in breadth. The principal stations for fishing are the Shetland and Western 
 Islands, and the coast of Norfolk. Although the Dutch trade is not so good as 
 formerly, they still employ an immense number of busses, of from forty-five to 
 sixty tons burden: they commence operations 0:1 the 24th of June, and a large 
 premium is given to the first buss that arrives in Amsterdam. Ho partial aie the 
 inhabitants to this fish, that they iiail its arrival with every demonstration of joy, 
 and the kegs are sold at an enormous (n ice. Flanders had the honour of disco¬ 
 vering the art of pickling this fish: one William Beanklen, of Biverlet, near Sluys, 
 was the inventor, and gave them the name of piclclcd, which we derive from the 
 Dutch; he died in 1397. The Emperor Charles the Fifth held the service he had 
 rendered mankind in such veneration, that he made a visit to his tomb. In 1603, 
 the Dutch sold to foreign nations as many herrings as amounted to 1,739,000/. 
 sterling. In 1615, they sent out at one time 3000 busses and 30,000 men, and 
 employed 9000 vessels and 150,000 men in conveying them to foreign markets. 
 The Dutch call the clown or attendant on a mountebank, Pickle Herring. 
 
 No. 18. The IS or III Church, 
 
 Built in 1620, stands in the North Market. It is in the form of a cross, with 
 four facades, each having two large and one circular window. The roof is suim¬ 
 ported by lour immense stone pillars : 111 the centre rises a handsome tower, with 
 a clock and chin e of bells. The interior forms an octagon, and is extremely 
 neat. 
 
 No. CO. The Droogbak. 
 
 At the end of the Singel, along the Buiteukam, the Droogbak may be per¬ 
 ceived. 
 
 No. Cl. Muscle Stairs , 
 
 Situated at the extremity of the first part of the Droogbak; so called from the 
 boats employed in collecting mmcles discharging their cargoes there. Cattle of 
 every description, coming to or leaving the city tor the north of Holland, are 
 shipped at these stairs. 
 
 No. 22. The Hood Gardens. 
 
 The outskiits of the city are principally occupied by the Hout-tuinen, or the 
 yards of the dealers in wood and timber. 
 
 No, 23. Haarlem Gale, 
 
 Situated at the end of the Haarlem Dyke, at the west end of the city. It was 
 elected in 1615, ami is a very handsome stone structure, ornamented on both 
 sides with pillars, lions’ heads, and the aims of the city, well executed; the 
 
whole is snrm on mod hy a tower, with clock and bells. It is used as a guardhouse. 
 The bridge over the fosse is of stone. Immediately beyond the gate is a canal, 
 made in 1632, on which Trekschuits, or passage boats, drawn by one horse, start 
 every hour. By the towing path is a road leading in a straight line to Haarlem, 
 eleven miles from Amsterdam. 
 
 No. 24. The Island Church, 
 
 \ pretty and well-ornamented square church, erected in 1739, on Bikker’s 
 Island. The islands of Kattenburg, Oostenburg, and Wittenburg, have each a 
 small church. 
 
 No. 25. Dock Yards. 
 
 On the eastern side of Bikker’s Island are several extensive shipbuilders’ yards. 
 The entrance to the port is here closed by the Bikker’s and Zout Kect’s booms. 
 
 No. 26 . Realen Bridge, 
 
 A double drawbridge, connecting the extreme points of land called the Zand- 
 hoek and the Realen Island. 
 
 No. 2 1. Sand Point. 
 
 The Zandhoek, or sand point, is the extreme point of the city towards the west. 
 Here are extensive works for refining salt; also the houses in which the herrings 
 called Bloaters are smoked, or made what is termed red herrings. A market for 
 fish of all kinds is held here. In the distance the innumerable mills, steeples, &c. 
 of North Holland, may be distinctly seen. 
 
 No. 28. Zaandam. 
 
 A considerable town, about five miles from Amsterdam. It is situated on the 
 Zaan, near its junction with the Y. Ship building was formerly the most impor¬ 
 tant branch of its manufacture, but at present it is more celebrated for the num¬ 
 ber of its windmills (2300), which are used for every possible purpose, particu¬ 
 larly sawing timber. The sails are generally painted of some gaudy colour, and 
 when in motion, with the sun shining on them, present at a short distance a most 
 curious appearance. This place is rendered famous from having been the resi¬ 
 dence of tlie czar Peter the Great, who, in 1696 and 1697, worked in the ship 
 yards as a common labourer: he went by the name of Peter MichaelofF, but, 
 from his superior behaviour, was generally called Peter baas, or Master Peter. 
 The small cottage of two rooms in which he resided has been carefully preserved : 
 in 1823 it was purchased by the Princess of Orange, sister to the Emperor 
 Alexander, for 6000 guilders, who, to prevent its destruction, had it entirely 
 enclosed by a stiong brick building. The town contains about 9000 inhabitants, 
 and is generally considered one of the neatest and cleanest of Holland : the houses 
 are generally prettily painted on the outside, and the upper parts terminate in a 
 vase, crown, or some other ornament. 
 
 No. 2 9- East Zaan, 
 
 Divided from West Zaan, or Zaandam, by the river. It is a pretty village 
 having a neat church, and contains about 970 inhabitants. 
 
 No. 30. The Port, or Haarlem-Sluice Boom. 
 
 The port of Amsterdam, although not distinguished by any natural advantages, 
 has been so improved bv art as to have become a secure retreat for vessels of 
 the largest size. It is about one mile and a half in length, by 1000 paces in 
 breadth, and, although crowded on both sides with double tiers of shipping, a 
 wide channel is always left in the centre. Before the trade of Amsterdam was 
 diminished, it was not uncommon for one hundred vessels to enter and leave the 
 port at each tide. The harbour is enclosed by immense piles driven into the mud, 
 and joined together by cross beams placed horizontally, leaving openings for the 
 
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 ingress ami egress of the ships: these openings are defended by large bars, 01 
 booms of wood, covered with iron spikes, being drawn across every evening at 
 dusk. At these booms the ships clear in, show their passports, and pay the 
 duties on their cargoes. The small houses adjacent are the dwellings of the officers 
 of the customs,&c. There are twenty of these booms. Some piles driven toge¬ 
 ther on the outside, to which ships are made fast, are called Diikdilvcn The 
 whole of these piles, booms, <kc., although made of the finest heart of oak, re¬ 
 quire to be constantly replaced, from the ravages of a small grub, against whom 
 no preventive has yet been discovered, who in a very few years bores them 
 through and through, until they resemble a honeycomb. 
 
 No. 31. Pleasure Houses. 
 
 These small buildings, attached to the new City Hotel, are much frequented, 
 both in summer and winter, by the inhabitants of the city, where they take their 
 tea, smoke their pipes, and sip their brandije win; and enjoy the prospect in 
 summer of innumerable boats of every description sailing on the Y, or, in winter, 
 the more animated scene of thousand of skaters, sledges, &c. which cover its 
 surface. 
 
 No. 32. Landsmeer. 
 
 The next village inland, beyond Zaan, is Landsmeer. At a short distance is 
 Watergang, and a little farther, Ilpendam. They are very small, and contain 
 nothing to recommend them to notice. The two last are about half-way between 
 Amsterdam and Purmer End. 
 
 No. 33. Purmer End, 
 
 A neat fortified town, about nine miles from Amsterdam. It has five gates ; 
 Protestant, Lutheran, Baptist, and Catholic churches ; and contains about 2000 
 inhabitants. The town, with the adjacent fine meadow land, to a great extent, 
 was formerly an immense lake, which is said to have been drained in four years, 
 and the city built about 1573, at the sole expense of William Eggard, a rich mer¬ 
 chant of Amsterdam. It was purchased by the States, and annexed to their 
 dominions in 1593. 
 
 No. 34. Buiksloot , 
 
 A village of considerable size at the Waterland dyke, in North Holland. The 
 isthmus, or foreland, immediately in front, is called the Vogelwyk. In very clear 
 weather, several villages, and the towns of Mounikkendam and Edam, may be 
 seen. 
 
 No. 35. Brock, 
 
 A village, containing about 800 inhabitants, celebrated, even in Holland, for its 
 neatness and cleanliness. The streets are paved in a kind of mosaic of small 
 stones and shells, no person being allowed to pass through on horseback ; and the 
 houses, into which stiangers rarely find admittance, are perfect playthings, more 
 than half the time of the inmates being expended in keeping them washed, swept, 
 and polished. The front doors are never opened but at a christening, wedding, 
 or funeral. 
 
 No. 36. Zander dorp y 
 
 A village, about the same size as Ransdorp. 
 
 No. 37- The Y. 
 
 Although the Y has the appearance, and is called a considerable river, yet it is 
 only an arm of, or immense inundation of, the Zuydcr Zee. 
 
] 1 
 
 No. 38. The Tollhouse. 
 
 At this part the river Y is only one mile in breadth. Here the passage boals 
 from Amsterdam to Buiksloot, &c. enler a canal, np which they sail with the 
 wind, or are drawn by a single horse. In winter, when the river is covered with 
 skaters, sledges, &c., the view from the Tollhouse is of the most animated de¬ 
 scription. 
 
 No. 39 . The New Canal, 
 
 Connecting the harbour of Amsterdam with the Texel, avoiding the Pampas, 
 and numerous other dangerous sandbanks in the Zuyder Zee. It was commenced 
 in 1818, and is capable of bringing ships of war, as well as merchant vessels, in 
 safety to the port. The locks at the entrance, and at its junction with the Texel, 
 exhibit beautiful specimens of workmanship on a vast scale; the whole, for mag¬ 
 nificence of design and manner of execution, reflects high credit on the nation. 
 No less a sum than 35000 guilders, about 30001. sterling, was paid during the last 
 winter to keep it free from ice. 
 
 No. 40. Nieuwendam, 
 
 A neat village, situated on the outside of the isthmus, to the east of the dike. 
 It contains about 600 inhabitants, a Catholic and Protestant church, and is much 
 frequented on account of its beautiful view. 
 
 No. 41. Ransdorp, 
 
 A small village, of about 220 inhabitants. 
 
 No, 42. Durgerdatn, 
 
 A village of about 550 inhabitants, principally employed in the fisheries. 
 
 No. 43. The Lighthouse, 
 
 On the northern extremity of the Y, always illuminated during the night. Near 
 it may be distinguished the steeples of some villages of North Holland. 
 
 No. 44. The Pampas. 
 
 The Pampas are considerable and dangerous sandbanks in the Zuyder Zee, at 
 the mouth of the Y. Heavily laden ships are brought over these sands by means 
 of Kameelens, or Camels, two immense barges, which, when filled with water, 
 being firmly attached to the vessel, on the water being pumped out, will raise 
 her four or five feet. 
 
 No. 45. Horse Point. 
 
 The point of land nearer the city on the south is called Paardenhoek, or Horse 
 Point. 
 
 No. 46. Easi-India Warehouses , 
 
 Constructed in the year 1660, together with docks, ropeyards, 6cc. 1 he 
 warehouses are now occupied as granaries, and present a very curious appearance, 
 one half the building, in consequence of the piles giving way in 1822 , having sunk 
 into the earth. 
 
12 
 
 No. 47 . The Royal Dockyard , 
 
 Extends from the extreme point of the Y to the warehouses. The works are 
 conducted on an extensive scale, as may be seen by the various vessels on the 
 stocks. 
 
 No. 48. The East Church , 
 
 \ very neat square building of brick, about 100 feet in length on each side. 
 The foundation was laid in 1669, and the whole completed in 1671. Four square 
 Ionic pillars support the roof, and on the outside are eight others to strengthen 
 the walls. The windows are stained glass, and contain the arms of the city and 
 four bourgomasters; and the pulpit is finely sculptured. 
 
 No. 49 . Royal Warehouses. 
 
 The Royal Warehouses are entirely surrounded by water : they were erected 
 in 1653, burnt in 1791, and immediately rebuilt. They are well supplied with 
 every requisite for the navy. 
 
 No. 50. The Crane, 
 
 Situated on the Kamperhoofd, or quay, and used for putting the masts into 
 ships. 
 
 No. 51. Flounder House. 
 
 The Flounder House, by a statute of 1737. Flounders, a favorite fish of the 
 Dutch, and all other kinds of fish brought for sale, must be weighed aud sold at 
 this place by persons appointed for the purpose. 
 
 No. 52. Office for Bouts to North Holland. 
 
 The boats in general use are, the Bant Schippen, large vessels with two 
 masts, used on the lakes and large rivers: they are divided into the cajuit, or 
 cabin, for eight persons, with beds; the roef, a sort of cabin, built on deck, also 
 provided with beds for twelve persons; and between deck and the hold,in which 
 they generally cram from 100 to 130 passengers: and the Trekschuits, boats used 
 on the canals, usually about thirty feet long and six feet wide, divided into two 
 cabins, seven feet in height; the larger, or ruim, will contain forty persons; the 
 smaller, for private parties, only eight; some have small apartments for six 01 
 eight persons on the deck, called roefs; they are drawn by one horse; the charge 
 is about one stiver per mile. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 J. amt C. ADLARD, Printers, Bartholomew Close,