TO THE FAVORABLE

OBSERVER

AND

READER.

We open here the Stage of our HOLLAND ARCADIA, or the renowned AMSTEL RIVER; a stream known everywhere, not by its size or length of course, but by the trade-rich City of Amsterdam. At first glance, everyone will see what our objective has been here, and also how closely we have fulfilled that objective by showing all the country estates and pleasure grounds situated along that renowned river. The great number of them did not frighten us from executing our plan, notwithstanding the heavy costs we had to bear to bring the number of one hundred views into the daylight, without having had any help from subscriptions or any support. Yet we shall consider ourselves sufficiently compensated for our trouble and expenses if we can give satisfaction to the Observer and Reader, in order to spur ourselves to further extend our land-reflections and views in another direction. This is all, favorable Observer and Reader, that I have to say to you in this notice; since the work is sufficient in itself, it does not need to be embellished by a long-winded or ornate preface. I remain therewith

Your obedient servant,

LEONARDUS SCHENK.

At the bottom of the left page, there is a faint purple circular library stamp from the Amsterdam city archives, featuring a central heraldic crest.

TO THE NOBLE AND VERY HONORABLE GENTLEMEN,

THE GENTLEMAN

EGIDIUS VANDEN BEMPDEN,

MAYOR of the CITY of AMSTERDAM, GOVERNOR

of the NOBLE EAST INDIA COMPANY, DIRECTOR of the

SOCIETY of SURINAME, &c. &c. &c.

AND THE GENTLEMAN AND MR.

J A N S I X,

LORD of HILLEGOM and VROMADE &c. REIGNING MAY-

OR and COUNCILOR of the CITY of AMSTERDAM, MASTER

KNIGHT original: "Meester Knaap" - an official title related to forest and hunting administration of HOLLAND and WEST FRIESLAND, &c. &c. &c.

HOLLANDS ARCADIA

WITH DUE REVERENCE AND HIGH ESTEEM

DEDICATED, BY HIM, WHO HAS

THE HONOR TO CALL HIMSELF,

Your Noble Very Honorable most humble servant

LEONARDUS SCHENK.