The city itself, on which the skies shone fairly through light and fleecy clouds, wore a cheerful aspect.

The church of St.Lawrence rising above the clean, neat houses, and on one side trees thickly grouped, gayly contrasted at once the waters and the city.
"I like this place," said Gertrude's father, quietly; "it has an air of comfort." "And an absence of grandeur," said Trevylyan.
"A commercial people are one great middle-class in their habits and train of mind," replied Vane; "and grandeur belongs to the extremes,--an impoverished population and a wealthy despot." They went to see the statue of Erasmus, and the house in which he was born.

Vane had a certain admiration for Erasmus which his companions did not share; he liked the quiet irony of the sage, and his knowledge of the world; and, besides, Vane was at that time of life when philosophers become objects of interest.

At first they are teachers; secondly, friends; and it is only a few who arrive at the third stage, and find them deceivers.

The Dutch are a singular people.