Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/130

118 the use of salt-water for a bath, and consequently there are no machines for that delightful and invigorating exercise. This aversion to the sea air and water is not merely a vulgar prejudice, but obtains the support of their leading physicians; and on this account, though most delightful houses of pleasure might be built on the coast, commanding an exquisite marine prospect, not a villa or even a hovel is to be seen, three or four houses at Scheveling excepted, which fronts the ocean. The ruddy countenances of the Dutch fishermen, and their athletic limbs, might seem to afford an irresistible refutation of this idle prejudice; but persons who have a violent attachment to old opinions, generally overlook facts, and dwell upon theories.

It is dangerous for vessels to anchor off Scheveling, on account of the exposed position of the coast, and the want of sand-banks to break the force of the sea; the fishermen therefore, when they return from their labours, drag their vessels on rollers up the beach, beyond the reach of the tide. In this manner on the sand were upwards of thirty