village to the high reputation for the splendour of its buildings which it enjoys. These are decorated with trees, bridges of tasteful construction, and canals; and the meanest of them possesses the recommendation of extreme cleanness. Before the conquest of Holland by the French, and the changes which succeeded that event, the houses of the nobility and persons of rank were ornamented with the armorial ensigns of their families; but such remnants of chivalry and nobility are no longer permitted to be exhibited; and where their removal would have deformed the building, the shields remain despoiled of their quarterings. The arms which are affixed to the houses where the deputies of the states formerly resided, being the armorial distinctions of the difFerent provinces, are not subject to this ordinance, and consequently remain: an exception also is to be seen at the Danish minister's house, where the arms of his master are so painted as to remind me of those exhibitions of heraldry which many of the public-houses of London display; but if the ambassador, in departing
