CHAPTER XII.
Around Amsterdam: South and South-East Dutch railways--Amsterdam as a centre--Town and country--Milking time--Scotch scenery in Holland--Hilversum--Laren--Anton Mauve--Buckwheat Sunday--Dress in Holland--Naarden's hour of agony--The indomitable Dutch--_Through Noord-Holland_ again--Muiderberg--Muiden's Castle.
The Dutch have several things to learn from the English; and there are certain lessons which we might acquire from them.

To them we might impart the uses of the salt-spoon, and ask in return the secret of punctuality on the railways.
The Dutch railways are admirable.

The trains come in to the minute and go out to the minute.

The officials are intelligent and polite.

The carriages are good.