Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/58

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46
TOUR THROUGH

The principal streets of Rotterdam are thickly planted with trees, which, together with the canals which flow in the middle of them, and the draw-bridges in excellent repair and neatly painted that every-where meet the eye, give them an agreeable appearance. The windows and doors of the houses are in general painted green, which has a lively effect, and this is much increased by the scrupulous cleanliness which is universally practised. Not only the windows, but the whole front of the house, is generally washed two or three times a week by engines for that purpose, which are abundantly supplied with water from the canals, and the same care is extended to the pavement of the streets in which the more opulent inhabitants reside.

Rotterdam has nothing to boast of the splendour of its public buildings. The cathedral of St. Laurence is a dull, heavy pile, in which it would be easier to discover much to find fault with, than any thing to commend. An organ is erecting in this church of astonishing magnitude, which it is supposed