"I like these boat roads best," said Allan, "they are so novel." "Where are we going, mamma?" asked Nettie, "and how far?" "To the _Vyverberg House_, my dear. I do not know the distance." "Is it a mile?" asked Eric, of the boatman. He shook his head, saying, "_Nein_." But you are not to think that he meant nine miles, for "_nein_" is German for "no." The Vyverberg House was at the north end of Gravenhaag; so our friends had a fine view of the town, and learned much of its history from the sober old boatman, who, very fortunately for them, spoke English well. He pointed out the moat, which surrounded the city and formed its principal defense, and the drawbridges which crossed the moat. "How different from Hamburg!" said Eric. "There, a strong wall fortified the town, and most of its streets are now built upon its old walls of fortification." "The canals were similar to these," said his mother. "You did not notice those particularly, because you always rode in Mr. Nichols's carriage." "But this is a much better looking town than Hamburg, mamma." "Yes, indeed; the buildings are much handsomer here," she assented. "O, how lovely!" "How splendid!" cried Nettie and Allan in a breath, as they came upon a fine open space, ornamented with a lake, and wooded island in its centre. "This is the Vyverberg," the boatman said. "Mamma, how good of you to bring us here!" cried the children; "it is perfectly splendid!" Well might they say so. The square containing the lovely lake and island was surrounded by the handsomest and chief public edifices of the city, the finest one of them all being the former palace of Prince Maurice, now the National Museum, celebrated for its gallery of pictures. The Royal Museum and other famous buildings were there; but that to which our party's attention was most closely drawn was the hotel. It stood facing the lake, a broad, comfortable-looking brick building, with heavy balconies, and frowning eaves and ornamental stucco work surrounded its doorways and windows. Between it and the avenue lay a beautiful garden, and just beyond the building was a small shady grove. "Mamma," exclaimed Nettie, "I _do_ think the Germans and Dutch have the most exquisite gardens in the world." "They are certainly very beautiful," said Mrs. Hyde. "Here in Holland great attention is paid to the culture of flowers. Indeed, some of the finest varieties are raised here, and Holland bulbs are among our choicest varieties." "Mrs. Hyde, I suppose I am very stupid," said Allan, blushing, "but I do not know what 'bulbs' are."