Series 02: Journal of a tour in Holland, 12 February - 22 March 1773 - No. 0043

[Page 43]

Febry 1773 - to Amsterdam

waterways separated by immense piers of stone pointed towards the water & of a much greater extent than generaly I have seen them.

From this sluice looking to the Seaward the town of Sardam appears making a most singular appearance nothing being seen but the windmills which are almost innumerable behind each other so that the whole Horizon is crowded with a mob of them singular as in appearance seldom met with.

At ½ past 12 we arrivd at Amsterdam & immediately visited Mr Gd to whom we brought letters from Mr Allemand he receivd us most civily & appointed Monday Friday as the first day we could see a Collection. fund

After this we returned & dind at home & went to the Dutch opera the house is out town a long way a mere boarded shed fitter for carpenters to work in than for a Theatre the old one it seems was burnt down last year & is not yet rebuilt.

The entertainment was singular a kind of drama like the as you like it of Gay consisting however of two acts one of