THE BURGHERS 105

buckets, which shall be procured and provided at
the earliest and most convenient opportunity.55

The early settlers found much difficulty in en-
forcing public sanitation, for, in spite of the world-
wide reputation of the Dutch for indoor cleanliness,
we find the burghers in 1658 bitterly reproached
for throwing their rubbish, filth, dead animals, and
the like into the streets "to the great inconvenience
of the community and dangers arising from it."
The burgomasters and schepens ordained that all
such refuse be brought to dumping-grounds near
the City Hall and the gallows or to other desig-
nated places. Failure to observe this rule was
punishable by fines or severer penalties.

As prosperity increased, all conditions of living
improved. Many ships from Holland brought
loads of brick and tiles as ballast, and the houses
began to assume the typical Dutch aspect. They
were still built chiefly of wood, but with a gable
end of brick facing the street. The steep roofs
seldom had eave-troughs, at least in the early days,
and mention is made in deeds of "free-drip.55

The house was supplied, as the chronicler tells
us, with "an abundance of large doors and small
windows on every floor, the date of its erection was
curiously designated by iron figures on the front,