Page:Things Seen In Holland (1912).djvu/124

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Things Seen in Holland

them with placid enjoyment. Many artists, more especially the veteran Josef Israëls, have immortalized the klomp when in this form. The klomp seems to be no hindrance to the movements of a broad-breeked Dutchman, for he will clear a four-foot fence like a bird without parting company with them. If anything excites the curiosity of one too short in stature to get a view of the object it is sought to look at, then will klompen placed one on top of the other be of valuable assistance. They have still another use. As the boat or ship passes through the canal the lock-keeper will appear with what seems a fishing-rod, at the end of which dangles a fish—'tis but a klomp, into which you drop the toll. I have also seen the klomp used as a most effective steering-gear on the occasion of a buxom vrouw coaxing her husband home from the tapperij, out

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