We are not allowed upon the continent to be a people of much _creative faculty_, but this plan is solely of British growth, and till lately wholly unknown to political economists of every other country. This cheap and efficacious system, which has received, to their lasting honour, the cordial approbation and support of their Majesties and the Royal Family, his Grace the Duke of Bedford is anxious to introduce into Ireland, wholly free from religious proselytism, and which would powerfully accelerate those comprehensive and enlightened measures, to which another great friend to Ireland has, with uncommon promptitude and assiduity, obtained the assent of the imperial parliament; I allude to that amiable and able statesman Sir John Newport, the present chancellor of the exchequer of Ireland. May the happy effects of such a measure be as forcibly experienced in that country, as they have been in this which I am describing! CHAPTER IV. THE COINS ... PRACTICE OF VAILS-GIVING IN HOLLAND ... FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SELLERS ... DUTCH PASSION FOR SCRUBBING AND MOPPING ... WHIMSICAL SARCASM OF A TRAVELLER ... SINGULAR OFFENCE OFFERED TO A CHAMBER-MAID ... DUTCH PRINTS OF LORD NELSON ... TREATMENT OF OUR COUNTRYMEN AT VERDUN ... DUTCH COMPARED WITH THE CHINESE ... PRIVATE COLLECTIONS OF PAINTINGS ... BRIEF ANECDOTE OF THE VANDERWERFS ... REMARKS ON DUTCH AND FLEMISH SCHOOLS ... DORT ... ANECDOTES OF DISTINGUISHED PERSONS THERE ... ANECDOTE OF COWPER ... INTERPOSITION OF PROVIDENCE. It is with great reluctance I approach the subject of the currency of Holland, but as I hope to be read by some one who may hereafter visit that country, as much a stranger as I was to it, it is fit that I should not omit it; and I hereby apprize all my _chair-travelling_ readers of my intention, that they may _leap_ over my _table_ of coins if they choose so to do. SILVER COINS. A doyt. Worth about half a farthing. A stiver. About a penny at par. Twelve stivers are generally, but not in every part of Holland, considered equal to a shilling. This coin resembles a silver penny. Dubbeltje, or two stiver piece. This coin is very convenient small change. A quarter guilder, or five stiver piece. This coin, I am told, is very rare; I met with none of it. A zesthalven, or five stivers and four doyts. This is a piece of base metal, and equal to an English six-pence; it is very convenient for an English traveller, on account of its precise value being known. Schellingen, of various kinds, the size of which determines the value, unless they are stamped. Six and a half stiver piece. A silver piece, little larger than a six-pence, and the eighth part of a rix-dollar. Eight stiver piece. A larger, but thinner piece than a schellingen, not much in circulation. Ten stiver piece. Worth half a guilder, very scarce.