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70 from general usage, meant only to assert the prerogatives of his character, his wooden escutcheon and its wretched blazonry are honourable to him.

The palace of the stadtholder, now the national palace, in which the members of the Batavian directory reside, and the two chambers of representatives hold their meetings, is chiefly formed of old buildings, erected at different periods, and without any regularity of design. They are surrounded; by a canal, over which are drawbridges, and their external appearance is rather pleasing. The exiled prince intended to have built a new palace, and shortly after the conclusion of the American war, one side of a quadrangle was erected of tolerable architecture. But the troubles which quickly followed in Holland, prevented the completion of this plan; and at present there is not any probability that the design will be carried into execution. In the new building, the first chamber of representatives hold their sittings. The hall appropriated to their use was the Stadtholder's concert room, and it