THE WESTER KERK, AMSTERDAM.

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THIS church stands upon the Westermarkt, between thePrinces Gragt and Keizers Gragt, and, as its name implies,is situated in the western quarter of the city. It was builtin the year 1620, and is one of the handsomest churches,dedicated to the service of the reformed religion, in theDutch capital. The length of the building is 168 feet, itswidth 97 feet. The handsome tower attached to it is theloftiest in Amsterdam, being 299 feet in height, and itssummit is gracefully terminated in the form of an imperialcrown. One of the bells in this tower, weighing 15,000pounds, is tolled every morning and evening to announce theopening and closing of the city gates and barriers.

In front of the Wester Kerk, and on the bank of the KeizersGragt, is the Waag, one of the four public edifices at whichall the merchandise of Amsterdam must be weighed.