Started by train for the Hague. Visited Museum and Picture Gallery. Lunched at a Café by the way, particularly clean. We then drove to the King’s Country Palace, distant some miles; road shaded by some of the tallest oaks and elms I ever saw. At the Palace we were civilly received by the servants. Although the Queen was residing in it, we were shown over the charming country residence. On our preparing to leave, a footman suggested writing our names in a book lying open on a side-table. I had no other costume than a pea-jacket and sailor’s hat. We had just turned into the road from the outer gate, when a messenger came running with Her Majesty’s commands for my return, when I was sent for, and received by Her Majesty Queen Sophie Frederique Mathilde at the door of the ante-room, and desired to follow her into a charming boudoir. After a few kind words, I was desired to sit down. Her Majesty hoped that I had not forgotten my Dutch extraction, and other kind expressions. I mentioned that I had had the honour of being a Groom-in-Waiting to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. I was allowed to kiss the royal hand on departing: my friends having kindly waited in the carriage, enjoying the fragrant weed. On our way back we visited the bazaars. A more curious collection of pretty things I had never seen. Returned by train, and so on board the pretty and beautifully clean _Enchantress_, having seen a good deal, and I, in particular, well pleased by the reception I had received. The _Eugenies_ came to dine. [Sidenote: Aug. 16.] In the evening my new friend Mr. Itmann came on board and agreed to accompany us to Amsterdam. [Sidenote: Amsterdam, Aug. 17.] By 9.15 train. Two flys took us from the station at Amsterdam to the Palace. We first mounted the belfry and had a fine view of Zuyder Zee and surrounding country. We came in for a tune on the bells, as well as the striking the hour of noon on the more ponderous one. The Palace is as dismal and as uninteresting a building as one could well go through. Old Spanish flags and other trophies taken from their greatest enemy are suspended in the Throne Room. There is a large picture by Wappers of the gallant young officer, Van Speyk, who blew his ship up, with himself and crew, after getting on shore, when boarded by the Belgians in 1831. We went to the picture-gallery; an ill-arranged building, but containing some good pictures. Amsterdam, with its trade and canal streets, is very like Rotterdam. At 5 P.M. we returned by a train _viâ_ Utrecht; but there is so much sameness about this great grazing, cattle-supporting country, that unless I had been told I should have thought we were returning by the same line. In Amsterdam we had luncheon at a restaurant, but the cooking not much, although things were clean. Got on board _Enchantress_ a little after seven. [Sidenote: Rotterdam, Aug. 18.]