hats, files, lace, serge, woollen stuffs, crockeryware, and all articles of iron, copper, bronze, steel, and tin.

The tan-yards, which were formerly an imDortant branch of industry at Namur, are much diminished in importance; but there are still several remaining-as also numerous breweries, and one glass house. The pit-coal called honille is found in the mountain on which the castle is built. Tobacco and endive are cultivated in the neighbourhood of the town.

[Route

After the doubling of the hill of Pied-noir, more generally known by the name of the Windmill. mount, the railway, leaving to the right the fortifications of the town, St. Nicholas's gate, and the neighbouring plantations, passes by the trees of the Grands-Malades (an old leper hospital), at the foot of steep hills of which the rocky slopes conceal from sight the village of Bouges, by which they are crowned. At this point we see embedded in a rock the picturesque hermitage of St. Hubert. The railway now approaches the Meuse, and does not leave it until its arrival at Liége. It crosses the first valley running past some rocks of dazzling reflection, which close the prospect on the left bank, and vanish towards a cluster of trees which shelter the white buildings at the sign of the La Tête du. Pré. The landscape is closed on the right bank, which the old road follows, by the heights of Erpent, at the top of which winds the road to Luxembourg; lower down, by the hill overhang

The streets of Namur are wide and well built, principally of blue stone, veined with red and black. The river abounds in excellent fish, particularly oraw-fish, which are exported to every part of the kingdom. The singular sham-fights, formerly carried on between the two parties of young townsmen, mounted on stilts, were once a favourite diversion of the inhabitants, and to which, it is said, the brewers of Namur owe the oxemption from excise, granted by Duke Albert. They are now almost discontinued, but are stilling the gloomy Trou des Larrons, a famous cave, occasionally to be seen during the fairs, the principal of which commences on the 2nd July, and lasts fifteen days; the others are but one day each, viz., the second Monday in April, the second Saturday in July, and the first Saturday in October. Within three miles of Namur is the curious Hermitage of Montagne, cut in the solid rock, by a brotherhood of Carmelite Friars; and about two miles to the north, in the arrondisse. ment of Philippeville, is the village of Vedrin, in which is a valuable lead mine, discovered in 1619. It is now worked by a powerful steam engine. This neighbourhood also affords a white sand, used in making glass. The walk to this village, as well as that to La Plante, which is about the same distance, is delightfully picturesque.

ROUTE 9.

Namur to Liege.-NAMUR (see Route 8). The railway station is situated near the buryingground between the exterior fortifications and the hill of Pied-noir, in the space which extends from the Brussels gate to the Iron gate, formerly Sampuris gate, one of the few remains of the last wall built round the town in the beginning of the fifteenth century.

Leaving the station the railway passes under the hill of Pied-noir, and that of Coquelet, between ends the high road leading to Louvain,

once so dreaded by travellers; and lastly, by the heights of Lives, the sides of which are covered with blocks of stone, presenting the fantastic appearance of an old manor house, with its massive entrance flanked by two mouldering towers.

This first valley has beauties too numerous for us to attempt to describe. It is followed by others in rapid succession, equally grand and beautiful. Every attempt to do so would appear cold and colourless compared with the impression produced by the view, under the unceasing play of light and shade, by the splendid river, sprinkled here and there with verdant and graceful islands, a limpid and azure path travelled over, hour after hour, by heavily laden trading boats, slendar steamers, with sounding and foaming paddles, and long white plumes of smoke.

Beyond Tete-du-Pré the railway passes by the village of Beez, and soon reaches the beautiful rocks of Marche les Dames, whose greyish sides border the road, and proudly raise their wild steep crags in the air.

MARCHE LES DAMES STATION.-The castle on the road side is an erection of the present century, by the owner of some ironworks-it now belongs to the Prince Arenberg. The village is of regular construction, and contains a pretty good number of houses and forges.