Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/185

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THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
173

fort, said to have been built by Hengist the Saxon prince, which is elevated above the tops of the highest houses, and commands an extensive view over the town. The top is surrounded by a wall, on which small pieces of cannon might be mounted, and contains, in a circle of about 150 paces, a labyrinth of trees, a bason of water, and benches and tables for the accommodation of visitors. In fine weather the citizens of Leyden resort to this place to drink tea, and smoke their pipes. The ascent to it is by an easy flight of steps, and at convenient distances there are seats to rest the weary. I have never seen a more agreeable place of recreation in the centre of a large and populous city. Those who frequent it, breathe on its top a wholesome and elastic air, and enjoy a fine prospect of the sea, the lake of Haarlem, the city of Leyden, and the surrounding meadows.

Leyden formerly vied with Amsterdam and the Hague, for the number of valuable publications in modern literature which issued from its press, and much exceeded them in the variety of classical works which it produced.