One of the most misunderstood cities in Europe is Amsterdam. For some reason or other this bright capital of the cut diamond has failed to make a vivid impression on the consciousness of the tourist world, yet it has an extraordinary beauty and variety all its own.
Having just spent several days being nearly run over by bicycles every time I tried to cross a street, I strenuously disagree: Amsterdam makes a very vivid impression. (As long as you stay away from the coffeeshops.)
I’m not just talking about those murderous—er, speedy—bicycles. Roaming was fine in the Netherlands’ second city, but getting around Amsterdam couldn’t be easier with the metro system, trams, ferries and more.
A Dutch force from Amsterdam, moving upon skates, in 1572, utterly defeated a large body of Spaniards.
. . . But after living in Brussels for more than a year, just about anywhere would seem more sanitary.
The Dutch keep their houses exceedingly neat and clean. . . A Magistrate, going to visit the mistress of a house in Amsterdam, knocked at the door, and a strapping North Holland lass came and opened it. He asked whether her mistress was at home; she said ” yes,” and with that he offered to go in.
The young woman, however, noticing that his shoes were not very clean, took him by both arms, threw him upon her back, carried him across two rooms, set him down at the bottom of the stairs, pulled off his shoes, put on him a pair of slippers that stood there—all without uttering a word—and when she had done she told him that he might go to her mistress, who was in a room above.
1890 photochrom print of a windmill in the Netherlands from the Library of Congress.
It expresses itself—no matter what.
The city of Amsterdam had long been infested with placards; every morning the walls were ornamented with papers, censuring the government, the stadholder, the burgomasters, and other officers. . .
The stadhouse was the spot on which these seeds of insurrection were sowed the thickest; it was therefore resolved to place guards, at proper distances, around it, in order to apprehend those ingenious offenders, who, in the course of every night, furnished matter of speculation for the whole city of Amsterdam the next morning. . .
A soldier of no ordinary sagacity undertook the charge of this place, and toward the morning while he was exulting that he had kept the wall clear of papers, a gentleman in a riding dress came up to him; he affected surprise at seeing a sentinel on a spot where there had never been any before, and asked him the reason; which the soldier explained.
The gentleman laughed: said it was a foolish piece of business to keep men all night in the cold, for fear that a bit of paper should be stuck against the wall: at the same time, patting him on the back, he said, “you look like a very honest fellow, and I would advise you to go to bed.”
. . . The sentinel, who began to think the night rather long, promised him he would the moment he was relieved; they then shook hands, and parted the best friends in the world.
It was now broad-day light; the party was collected to march to the guard-room; and while our soldier was reporting that he had a quiet guard, the corporal exclaimed, “What have you got at your back, friend Jerome?”
. . . They brought the poor fellow instantly to the guard-room, where it was discovered that one of the most flagitious, the most inflammatory and insulting of all the seditious libels that had been published, was firmly pasted ON HIS BACK!
Those Amsterdammers would be proud to know that same spirit is alive and well in their descendants today. I counted at least three rallies while I was there with enough placards to cover a battalion.
It knows how to bake.
. . . Stroopwafels, that is. I can’t believe I was [redacted] years old before I learned this Dutch delicacy is not only a prepackaged cookie sold in grocery stores but also a cross between a waffle and a crêpe that can be eaten fresh out of the oven and doused in white chocolate.
It was as large as my face!
Not pictured: a vicious, coordinated attack by pigeons and bees. Tragically, half the stroopwafel was lost in the onslaught. Next time, I’ll know to bring skates to fend off the enemy.
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Disclaimer: The modern era is far from the first to grapple with rampant “fake news.” As I am neither a historian nor journalist, I make no claims about the accuracy or lack thereof of the above sources. I assert only that they make for a good story.
Welcome to Second Glance History! This blog seeks to uncover the people and the stories forgotten by history and give them another read through a modern lens. Join me every week as we examine the differences that divide and the common threads that connect the then to the now.
Pigeon—and gull!—attacks over there can be quite flagitious!
Yes! 😱 I would take flagitious placards over pigeons any day.
I notice you judiciously left out any mention of the amenities that put the “….damn….” in “Amsterdam”. 🤨
You mean flagitious, inflammatory and seditious placards aren’t enough of a vice for you?!? 😂
Were those the precursor to the Hooker Trading Cards they hand out in Vegas these days?
🤔 Inspiration strikes in the strangest of places! 🤷♀️