Eliza Roxcy Snow

“ Amsterdam is celebrated for its numerons charitable institutions. It has upwards of forty designed for the benefit of the sick, aged and indigent, lunatics, foundlings and widows, all being supported by voluntary contribu- tions. Upwards of twenty thousand poor are sustained at the expense of private individuals. We saw a number of establishments for the poor, which appeared more like palaces for the rich than dwellings for the destitute. This city, as well as many others in Holland, is famous in its liberal arrangements for educating the poorer classes. ”

“ It is the only church in Europe that has six aisles. Its skilfully executed and elaborate carvings, numerous paintings by celebrated artists, Mosaic work of the finest description, marble statues of exquisite workmanship, gorgeous gildings, and decorations of the most costly character, altogether form a scene of great beauty and magnificence. ”

“ In front of this church is a bronze statue of Koster, formerly a citizen of Haarlem, representing him as the inventor of the art of printing.
Having spent two hours in that interesting town, we took cars for Amsterdam, where we arrived about half-past 3 p.m. Amsterdam is the great commercial city of Holland, numbering two hundred and seventy- five thousand inhabitants, of whom fifty-seven thousand are Roman Catho- lics, and twenty-eight thousand Jews. It is built over a salt marsh, upon piles driven from forty to fifty feet into the ground. ”

“ The expense of these foundations for building frequently exceeds that of their superstructures. The neglect of proper attention to this matter is liable to result in disaster. An extensive warehouse, containing three thousand five hundred tons of grain, was precipitated into the marsh, in consequence of the Inefficiency of the foundation.
The city is about nine miles in circumference intersected by numer- ous canals, dividing it into nearly one hundred islands, which circumstance, in connection with other resemblances, has given it the title of the "Venice of the North ." ”

“ The "Society for Public Welfare," founded in 1784, by a Baptist minister, is an admirable institu- tion, having for its object the education and moral culture of the lower classes, and extending its operations throughout the kingdom of Holland. It comprises fourteen thousand members, who subscribe two dollars annually. It educates teachers, publishes schoolbooks, establishes Sunday schools, reading rooms and libraries, publishes works of literature, bestows rewards, and confers public distinctions on persons who have made them- selves conspicuous by their generosity and philanthropic conduct. ”

“ At Haarlem. Two thousand people executed. Wonderful organ. A Dutch wedding. Amsterdam. A city on piles. Formidable army of worms. One hundred islands and two hundred and eighty bridges. Palace on piles. Diamond cutting. Charitable institutions. Antwerp. Notre Dame. Masterpiece of Rubens. Royal Palace. Brussels. St. Nicho- las. Singular marriage. Royal Theatre. National Palace.
ANTWERP, BELGIUM, DECEMBER TTH, 1872. Editor Deseret News:
We arrived at Haarlem en route to Amsterdam, on Wednesday, the fourth of December. ”