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Passing through the streets we observedmany houses pulled down, and were toldthat the wretched distress of the inhabit-ants obliged them to take them to pieces,to sell the materials for bread ! ! Anothercurious collection of paintings was shewnus here by an inhabitant of the place, whokindly undertook to be our conductor,after which we proceeded about a milefrom the town to Mr. Hope’s superb man-sion, situated on the borders of a fine na-tural wood of considerable extent. Thefagade is noble, with a gentle paved slopeon which you drive up to the grand en-trance, which is raised very considerablyabove the level of the ground before thehouse, and looks down a broad vista cutthrough the wood. The interior is elegantand tasteful, but, with the exception of afew of the principal saloons, the apartmentsare small. This house was bought by thelate King of Holland, who has left it in avery unfurnished state. Upon our returnto the town we visited the gardens of thefamous florists, for which this place is socelebrated. There is a singular custom