The Dutch canals, like those of Belgium and Germany, provide exceptionally low transport. The butter of Friesland is conveyed by canals in small boats to the home markets, whence it is carried twice a week to Harlingen and shipped to London and other large places of consumption. One of the most remarkable features in the landscape of Holland is the large number of windmills that are everywhere to be seen. In one province not more than 60 miles long, there are said to be more than 200 of these primitive appliances. The windmills are largely employed in spring time to drain the water from the low lying lands and raise it into the canals, but they are “contrived the double debt to pay” of drainage and agricultural work. The Dutch canals, which are for the most part elevated above the surrounding country, in order that they may the better carry off the water that inundates the land, are provided with strong dams or banks, which it is the care of the inhabitants to keep in good order. A system of militia was long maintained for the purpose of keeping the banks in repair. The ringing of a bell, or some other signal, brought the members of this force together, and, when the waters threatened danger, every man was found at his post, ready to repair any possible damage to the dykes. It is still the custom to assign to every family a certain length of embankment, which they are required to maintain. It is, of course, essential that a system of water communication so complete and so important to the well-being of the country as that of Holland should be subject to very strict regulation. There are two principal sets of regulations—the first adopted on the 5th February, 1879, for the Government canals generally; and the second adopted on the 6th August, 1880, applying specially to the North Holland Canal. There is also a series of special regulations for the Walcheren Canal, which communicates between Flushing and Veere. These regulations have been translated into English, and may be easily acquired by any one who desires to possess them.[93] FOOTNOTES: [87] ‘History of Inland Navigation.’ [88] The Suez Canal gives this return. [89] M’Cullough’s ‘Commercial Dictionary,’ Art., Amsterdam. [90] M’Cullough’s ‘Commercial Dictionary,’ Art., Canals. [91] ‘Proceedings,’ vol. xxix., p. 289. [92] Report of the Conference on Inland Navigation at the Society of Arts, 1888. [93] They are appended to a work which has recently been published, entitled ‘On Dutch Waterways,’ by G. C. Davies. CHAPTER XI. THE WATERWAYS OF ITALY. “Though Tiber’s streams immortal Rome behold, Though foaming Hermus swells with tides of gold, From Heaven itself, though sevenfold Nilus flows, And harvests on a hundred realms bestows, These now no more shall be the Muse’s themes, Lost in my fame as in the sea their streams.” —_Pope._