This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 edition. Excerpt: …that his cousin was tired of talking in English, he turned to his friend of the two languages– Van Mounen! they say the very carrier-pigeons that brought news of relief to the besieged city, are somewhere here in Leyden. I really should like to see them. Just think of it! At the very height of the trouble if the wind didn’t turn, and blow in the waters, and drown hundreds of the Spaniards, and enable tho Dutch boats to sail in right over the land with men and provisions to the very gates of the city. The pigeons, you know, did great service, in bearing letters to and fro. I have read somewhere that they were reverently cared for from that day, and, when they died, they were stuffed, and placed for safe keeping in the Town Hall. We must be sure to have a look at them. Van Mounen laughed. On that principle, Ben, I suppose when you go to Rome you’ll expect to see the identical goose who saved the Capitol. But it will be easy enough to see the pigeons. They are in the same building with Van dcr Werf’s portrait. Which was the greatest defence, Ben, the siege of Leyden or the siege of Haarlem?

Well, replied Ben, thoughtfully; Van der Werf is one of my heroes; we all have our historical pets, you know, but I really think the siege of Haarlem brought out a braver, more heroic resistance even, than the Leyden one; besides they set the Leyden sufferers an example of courage and fortitude, for their turn came first.

I don’t know much about the Haarlem siege, said Lambert, except that it as in 1573. Who beat?

The Spaniards, said Ben.
The Dutch had stood out for months. Not a man would yield nor a woman either for that matter. They shouldered arms and fought gallantly beside their husbands and fathers. Three hundred of them did duty under…