When such a spirit animated the maids and matrons of the city, it might be expected that the men would hardly surrender the place without a struggle." Haarlem still preserves the pretty custom of hanging lace by the doors of houses which the stork is expected to visit or has just visited.

Its origin was the humanity of the Spanish general, during this great siege, in receiving a deputation of matrons from the town and promising protection from his soldiery of all women in childbed.

Every house was to go unharmed upon which a piece of lace signifying a confinement was displayed.

This was a promise with which the Duke of Alva seems not to have interfered.
The author of _Through Noord-Holland_ thus eloquently describes the effect of Haarlem's great organ--for long the finest in the world: "Vibrating rolls the tone through the church-building, followed by sweet melodies, running through each register of it; now one hears the sound of trumpets or soft whistling tunes then again piano music or melancholical hautboy tunes chiming as well is deceivingly imitated." Free recitals are given on Tuesdays and Thursdays from one to two.

On other days the organist can be persuaded to play for a fee.