enue of elms, which is lovely. It is called "the Wood,"
and to the left is Sorgoliet, where the Queen mother lives, and which
was planted, the man says, by Jacob Cats. He lived there. Scheveningen
is a bare-looking shore, all sand, and bordered with sandbanks, or
Dunes. It was _fiercely_ hot, scorching, and not an atom of shade to
be had; but in spite of sun, slipping sandbank-seat, sand-fleas, and a
hornet circling round, I did make a sketch, which I hope to finish at
home. Both Regie and I bathed, and it was _delicious_--an utterly calm
sea, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The bathing machines seem to be a
Government affair. They and the towels are marked with a _stork_, and
you take a ticket and get your gown and towels from a man at a
"bureau" on the sands. I must tell you, this morning when we came
down, we found breakfasting in the _salle-a-manger_ our Dutch friend,
the bulb merchant. We had our breakfast put at his table, and had a
jolly chat. It was so pleasant! Like meeting an old friend. He has
gone, I am sorry to say, but I have made great friends with
Stephanie's father; he cannot speak a word of English, so we can only
talk in such French as I can muster; but he is very pleasant, and his
children are so nice! eight--four boys and four girls. The wife is
Dutch, and I do not think can speak French, so I do not talk to her.
After dinner the _maitre d'hotel_ asked us if we would not go to "the
Wood" (on the road to Scheveningen), and hear the military band--so we
went. I can't describe it. It was like nothing but scenes in a
theatre. Pitch dark in all the avenues, except for little lamps like
tiny tumblers fixed on to the trees, and so [_Sketch_] on to the
Pavilion, which was lighted up by chains of similar lamps like an
illumination--[_Sketch_]--and round which--seated round little green
tables--were gathered, I suppose, about two thousand people. Their
politeness to each other--the perfect good-behaviour, the quiet and
silence during the music, and the buzz and movement when it was over,
were wonderful. The music was very good. R. and I had each a tiny cup
of coffee, and a little brandy and water, for it was very cold!! Now I
have come in, and he has gone back, I think. Stephanie was there, and
lots of children. As I lay awake last night I heard the old watchman
go round. He beats two pieces of wood together and calls the hours of
the night. I saw a funeral too, this morning, and the coachman wears a
hat like thi