Delft
one of the most ancient towns of South Holland, on the Schie, 8 miles N. W. of Rotterdam; is intersected by numerous canals. Delft was noted from the 16th to the 18th century for its delftware, but has now entirely lost its high reputation for this manufacture, and not more than a few dozen persons are engaged in making earthenware. Of several interesting buildings, one, the townhall (1618) is a picturesque and richly adorned edifice. The New Church (1476) contains a monument, more ornate than tasteful, to the memory of William I. of Orange, who was assassinated here, July 10, 1584. It also contains the tomb of Grotius, and the burial-vaults of the present royal family of Holland.
The Old Church, a building of some note, contains the tomb of the naturalist, Leeuwenhoek, and of the great admiral, Van Tromp. Delft has also a State arsenal, an East Indian college, a polytechnic, and several hospitals. There are some manufactures of fine carpets, casks, baskets. Pop. about 35,000.