use of arms. It can only be the force of habit, now that their trade is nearly extinct, which leads the merchants of Amsterdam to assemble as usual on their exchange. The hours of business are from twelve to two, and the exchange then exhibits a singular assemblage of men of various nations dressed in the peculiar habits of their countries, and to appearance all ardently engaged in one common pursuit — the accumulation money.
I hasten with pleasure from a scene where the energies of the human mind are disgracefully employed, to mention an institution honourable to the citizens of Amsterdam, and advantageous to science.
In 1777 a society, composed of forty opulent and enlightened individuals, was formed at Amsterdam for the laudable purpose of promoting knowledge and the elegant arts. In the prosecution of their designs, the society experienced at first much opposition from the stadtholderian party, the orthodox clergy of Holland, and the frugal merchants of the old school, who regarded
