Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/63

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THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
51

resolution and energy is estimated, which enabled these poor women to gratify their patriotic feelings. The reflection probably did not occur to them, that they were separating themselves, perhaps for ever, from the most valuable friends they could hope to form during their lives; but the season of their departure was rigorous beyond the inclemency of former years, and few were the accommodations which fell to the lot of the most opulent refugees. The navigation of the Maese, as well as the canals, being interruped by the frost, the ordinary modes of conveyance were suspended; and so great was the demand for carriages, that happy were those, even the wealthy and delicate, who could obtain a place in an open waggon. The persons who were not thus accommodated, pursued their melancholy route over frozen rivers and snows, from Rotterdam to Helvoetsluys, where they found shipping for England; and they have carried with them the regret and esteem of the place.

On the 22d of January the division of General Bonneau took possession of Rotterdam.