The Morrills and Reminiscences - C. H. Morrill

constructed before the Christian era. We also visited the William Tell Chapel and monument. In all parts of Switzerland, the Alps with their white peaks towering high above the green fields, and the intensely blue waters, combine with the clear blue sky to form an impressive picture.
We left Lucerne with regret and soon arrived in Basle. Here, while yet in Switzerland, everything seemed to be German. Everyone spoke German, and German architecture, German signs on stores and German styles of dress were in evidence everywhere. From Basle we had a most interesting trip down the Rhine River. The ruins of castles belonging to the old feudal lords are still in existence and are in a fair state of preservation. There seemed to be a castle on top of almost every high hill along the shores of the Rhine. While looking at one of the largest, our guide informed us that in feudal times the lord of this castle put a very heavy chain across the river sufficiently strong to stop any boat. This lord demanded a tax from all who sailed up or down with goods for market. If payment was refused, a fight ensued and the lives and property of those conquered were sacrificed. We were very much impressed by the activity in Germany along all manufacturing lines. In Cologne we met a German who spoke English, and asked him where the Germans dispose of all their manufactured wares. He said, "We sell to every people in the entire world. The German government has experts in all lines of trade in every civilized and in many uncivilized countries.

First, we find out what a certain people want, how they desire certain goods made, and then offer the manufactured articles through people speaking their own language. When we have the trade once established, we manage to keep the confidence of the purchaser. This policy has been established and our foreign trade reaches all parts of the world through the efforts of Kaiser Wilhelm. All thinking Germans know that the present general prosperity in Germany has come through the foresight and untiring efforts of our Kaiser."
In the evening of the same day we left Cologne, Germany; we arrived in Amsterdam, Holland, located on the Zuider Zee. Hollanders are an entirely different people from the Germans. They are mostly agriculturists; raising live stock and dairying seem to be their principal occupations. Amsterdam is a fine city of five hundred thousand inhabitants, and by their activity, hustle and bustle there, one would almost believe he were in an American city. A large part of their dairy products and live stock are exported to London. At Edam, one of the greatest cheese markets of the world, we went through the big cheese factory. From there we went to the Island of Marken, where we found the Hollanders clad in gaudy, many colored garments, and all wearing wooden shoes. Fishing is the only industry. As we approached a house, the family assembled in front, and we were invited to go inside, where everything was spick and span. Small bed rooms, resembling a berth in a sleeping car, were

built in the walls of the rooms. These little three by six foot rooms were their only sleeping places, and in front of each was a fancy homemade curtain. The young Hollanders stood in line with their hands extended, expecting a few pennies for their hospitality. They seemed to be a very happy people. We saw here also an old church, said to have been built a thousand years ago, still standing and in a fair state of preservation. The greater portion of the country adjacent to the sea is fit only for the production of grass and for pasturage, as could easily be seen on the return trip to Amsterdam. It is said that this city somewhat resembles Venice, small canals running through the streets, and even through the alleys affording transportation facilities. We saw wood, coal, lumber, and other merchandise being transferred to public houses and even to private residences from boats in these small canals.
Leaving Amsterdam we were soon at The Hague, and visited the Queen's Palace, where the World's Peace Conventions are held. We found the picture galleries of great interest, having a fine collection of portraits of the Princes of the House of Orange, as well as many others by famous Dutch and Flemish masters. The following day we arrived at Brussels. This city is located on the Senne River, and was founded in the sixth century. We saw the Hotel de Ville and the palace of King Leopold. For many years, Brussels was one of the most fashionable and attractive places in Europe for the nobility and gentry of different

nationalities. It is noted for its medieval guild houses, picture galleries, and spacious market places. No one visiting Brussels should fail to visit the fish market, where many thousands of baskets of fresh fish are daily sold at auction. Early every morning the streets of Brussels are filled with Belgian women with dog carts, on their way to market, in many instances both the dog and the woman are pulling the same load. At the market these women talked in high, rough voices, reminding one of the coarsest Russian women as we see them on their arrival in America. This is very likely due to the severe struggle they make for existence.
From Belgium we went to London for a second time, and while there endeavored to see places of historic interest omitted on our first visit. We took a trip down the Thames River, during which we began to realize the greatness of England. There we saw thousands of ships from every part of the known world, and began to understand the importance of the merchant marine, and their control of sea commerce. England is also the central market of the world. People in general little realize how completely we are at the mercy of the English. Nearly all of our grains, cottons, meats, and manufactured products are sold in England; even if these products are not consumed there, they must be sent to England in order to secure transportation to other countries. Since transportation rates are made by the English, the value of our goods is largely determined by them.


© 2002 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller.