I quote from them now and again throughout this volume, but I might mention here a few of their more general observations.
Fell, for example, was embarrassed by the very formal politeness of the nation.

"The custom of bowing in Holland," he writes, "is extremely troublesome.

It is not sufficient, as in England, that a person slightly moves his hat, but he must take it off his head, and continue uncovered till the man is past him to whom he pays the compliment.

The ceremony of bowing is more strictly observed at Leyden and Haarlem, than at Rotterdam or The Hague.

In either of the former cities, a stranger of decent appearance can scarcely walk in the streets without being obliged every minute to pull off his hat, to answer some civility of the same kind which he receives; and these compliments are paid him not only by opulent people, but by mechanics and labourers, who bow with all the gravity and politeness of their superiors." Such civilities to strangers have become obsolete.