another artist of the same school, whose chef d'œuvres exist in Bruges, in the Academy and Hospital of St. John. In studying the productions of the early Flemish school we must not forget that their path was a new and entirely original one. Without the classic works of antiquity to guide them, or the great models of later times to imitate, they were forced by the necessity of circumstances to fall back upon the volume of nature; from it they took their models, and hence that formality, and stiffness, and meagreness of outline, so unpleasantly combined with a want of refinement in their works, which defects are more than covered by the elevated sentiment, sacred solemnity, and truthful force of expression marking them. Through the works of Quentin Matsys, Frans Floris, De Vos, the Bringhaes, &c., down to Otto Vennius and Rubens, we can distinguish the progress of the Flemish school. SCHOOL OF RUBENS.-Rubens and his illustrious pupil Vandyke may be looked upon as the presiding geniuses of the second epoch in the history of the Belgian or Flemish school. We cannot, in any language of our own, better exhibit the character of the school, than that in which the head of it is described by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in the following extract: "The elevated situation in which Rubens stands in the esteem of the world, is a sufficient reason for some examination of his pretensions. His fame is extended over a great part of the continent without a rival; and it may be justly said that he enriched his country, not in a figurative sense alone, by the great examples of art which he left, but by what some would think a more solid advantage-the wealth arising from the concourse of strangers whom his works continually invited to Antwerp. To extend his glory still further, he gives to Paris one of its most striking features, the Luxembourg Gallery; and if to these we add the many towns, churches, and private cabinets, where a single picture of Rubens confers eminence, we cannot hesitate to place him in the first rank of illustrious painters." In the present age, Belgium possesses a School of Living Artists, whose productions, especially those historical ones of Wappers de Keyzer, Bufre, Maes, &c. can bear competition with the best productions of the other schools of the present day. ARCHITECTURE has been carried to its highest degree of perfection in the corstruction of the cathedrals and town halls of Belgium, which display the finest specimens of the ornamental Gothic style of the middle ages. In England, Gothic architecture is confined chiefly to churches, but in Belgium it is shewn to be equally suitable to oivic edifices and private dwellings. Fronts richly decorated with quaint and fantastic sculptures, lofty sloping roofs, full of windows, vointed gables rastellated towers, battlements, and projecting windows, combine to produce a general effect, which, from its grandeur and intricacy, delights the spectator. MANUFACTURES.-The industry of the Flemings has within 200 years converted a tract of land, once a sandy and barren heath, into a beautiful garden; and the product of its wheat is often not less than sixteen to one, and oats ten to one, whilst scarcely in any part of Britain does wheat give more than eight or ten to one. East and West Flanders alone produce annually flax to the amount of £1,600,000. The coal mines of Hainault produce more than those of the whole of France; and the annual quantity raised in Belgium is 2,000,000 chaldrons. More than 150,000 tons of iron are annually founded. The cloth manufactures at Verviers employ 4,000 men; and the cotton manufacture, notwithstanding the loss of the Dutch colonial markets, has improved steadily since 1830, and now represents a capital of £3,000,000 sterling. Commerce has greatly increased in Belgium lately. The principal exports are the productions of its flourishing agriculture and numerous manufactures, such as corn, bran, coal, oil, lace, woollen and cotton cloths, linen, canvas, arms, cutlery, and ironmongery. The woollen manufacture may be said to constitute the staple manufacturing trade of Belgium. At all events it is the object of immense industry, and a quantity of foreign wool, to the value of 14,000,000 frs., or £583,333 6s. 8d. sterling, is consumed annually. Carpets, flax, and linen also constitute important items in the manufactures of Belgium. The cotton manufac ture in Belgium represents a capital of 60,000,000 frs. in buildings and machinery, and the number of hands employed is at least 122,000. A brisk trade is likewise carried on in silk, lace, ribbons, hosiery, hats, leather, oil-cloth, paper, and lithography, &c. COMMERCE.-The commerce of Belgium at present extends its relations to numerous parts of the world, and includes almost every indigenous and foreign production. The average amount of value it represents may be estimated at 360,000,000 francs-that is, 210,000,000 of imports and 150,000,000 of exports. The external commerce of Belgium suffered greatly by the revolution in 1830, as Holland has since retained and monopolised the trade with all the colonies which belonged to the kingdom of the United Netherlands. RELIGION.-The Roman Catholic is the religion of the state, but the King is a Protestant, and every other form of faith has free exercise. RAILWAYS.-Belgium is the first state in Europe in which a system of railways has been planned and executed at the public cost; and certainly it is an honourable distinction to have given the first example of such a national and systematic provision of the means of rapid communication. The undertaking was fir projected in 1883, and the object proposed was to unite the principal commercial towns on one side with the sea, and on the other with the frontier of France and Prussia. In this respect Belgium is most favourably situated for the experiment of a general system of railroads. It is compact in form, moderate in size, and is surrounded on three of its sides by active commercial nations, and on the fourth by the sea, by which it is separated only a few hours' voyage from England. On the west are the two large and commodious ports of Antwerp and Ostend, and its east frontier is distant only a few leagues from the Rhine, which affords a connection with the nations of central and southern Europe. It is therefore in possession of convenient markets for its productions, and of great facilities for an extensive transit trade. The physical nature of the country is also most favourable, being for the most part very flat, and requiring but few of those costly works of levelling, tunnelling, and embanking which serve to increase so enormously the expense of similar undertakings in England. THE RHINE. There are rivers whose course is longer, and whose volume of water is greater, but none which unites almost every thing that can render an earthly object magnificent and charming, in the same degree as the Rhine. As it flows down from the distant ridges of the Alps, through fertile regions into the open sea, so it comes down from remote antiquity, associated in every age with momentous events in the history of the neighbouring nations. It rises in the Swiss canton of the Grisons from three principal sources, Before it falls into the lake of Constance, it forms the celebrated cataract of Schaffhausen, in the canton of Zürich, where the river is closely hemmed in by rocks. After having touched several cantons of Switzerland, also Austria, Baden, France, Bavaria, Hessia, Nassau, Prussia, &c., it divides into several branches. Vessels of from 300 to 450 tons go up the river to Cologne, those of 125 to 200 to Mayence, and those of 100 to 125 as far as Strasbourg. Steam Boats render communication easy; and so familiar has steam communication rendered us with the banks of the Rhine, that it has become an ordinary summer trip with the inhabitants of this country. ROUTE BELGIUM 1. LONDON то BRUSSELS, BY DOVER, CALAIS, LILLE, COURTRAY, GHENT, AND MALINES. Arrived at Dover, luggage, &c., being auly attended to, the steam-boat is boarded: she starts, and after a trip of about two hours the chalky cliffs of England are lost sight of; shortly after which, amid noisy exclamations and shrill vociferations, the tourists, after enjoying about half an hour's huddling about, disembark at Calais.-Hotels: Hotel Quillac, one of the oldest and most respect It able establishments on the Continent Hotel Dessin. Hotel de Paris. TRAVELLERS intending to proceed by this route start from London Bridge, and for 6 miles pro- | ceed through a beautiful country, which presents the aspect of a rus in urbe, being diversified in its sylvan character, and having its rural beauty heightened and embellished by the picturesque villas, stately mansions, and sweet cottages interspersed on every side along its delightful borders. At Sydenham, to the right of the railway, the Crystal Palace, removed from its original site in Hyde Park, greets the view, presenting the appearance of a massive and colossal temple, such as ancient or modern days have not before wit. nessed, and in which dwells the genius of peace, representing the combined elements of human The proper and most advantageous course for industry, enriched by the triumphs of science in parties to adopt on arrival here (providing they every department of its creative power and de-are not going to remain in Calais) is to proceed veloped efficiency, both in reference to novel direct to the passport office in the railway station, invention and improved principles. The tourist, situated within the precincts of the terminus, as he is whirled along, cannot fail to be inter- and procure the proper visa to their passports; ested by even a transitory survey of its giant-like after which they should proceed to an adjoining proportions and architectural design, whilst its room, and have their luggage examined. This general aspect bursts upon the astonished vision, examination can be avoided by declaring it "for its reflective grandeur shooting forth, if the transit," to Brussels or Co'ogne. day be clear and sunny, a flood of light, bril Calais is a second-class fortress, and contains liant and gorgeous in its effulgence, giving it about 12,000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by the appearance of some glittering palace, such as sand-hills on one side, and by morasses on the poets paint in their fanciful and ideal visions of other, which, though detracting from its beauty, those sunny lands where Eastern magnificence yet adds much to its military strength. The town and Asiatic grandeur characterise and adorn is situated in a very barren and non-picturesque the regal salons erected in the land of princes. district. It has latterly been re-fortified, and Passing rapidly from here, the remaining portion its works strengthened considerably particularly of the journey to Dover is effected through an to the sea coast. Its harbour, which has been much extent of country richly cultivated, tastefully laid improved and lengthened, is defended by several out, and dotted with many very beautiful resi-sall forts, and consists of a large quay, terdences, but exhibiting in its general appearance minated by two long wooden piers, stretching nothing specially interesting, beyond the ordinary into the sea. Its inhabitants are chiefly enelegance, and soft, chaste beauty distinguishing gaged in the herring and cod-fishery trade English landscapes. and carry on a considerable traffic in D spirits. Calais has lately taken to encourage appertained to England, deserves attention. manufacturing establishinents the bobbin-net Immediately to the rear of the choir is a modern (tulle) trade is carried on there with great vigour, circular chapel, and the church itself is a fine in opposition to a similar branch of trade in structure, built in the early Gothic style. England. Several mills have been established, steam-engines have also been introduced in increased numbers, and factories have been erected within the inner ramparts. It is stated that 55,000,000 of eggs are annually exported from this place to England. The pier of Calais is three-quarters of a mile in length, and is used as an agreeable promenade. On a spot of it is seen the pillar erected to commemorate the return of Louis XVIII. to France. It originally bore the following inscription :-"Le 24 Avril, 1814, S. M. Louis XVIII. debarqua vis à-vis de Cette Colonne et fut enfin rendu a l'amour des Français; pour en perpétuer le souvenir la ville de Calais a élevé ce monument." His Majesty Louis XVIII. disembarked beside this column on the 24th of April, 1814, and was at last restored to the love of the French people. The town of Calais erected this column to commemorate the event. A brazen plate was fixed on the exact spot where the Monarch's foot stepped, in order to further commemorate the act; but at the revolution of 1830 both plate and inscription were effaced, leaving the pillar to stand as a monument of the capriciousness of French enthusiasm. Calais has very little to interest; and though one or two incidents in its history are fraught with deep interest, particularly the recent embarcation of French troops on board of English ships for the Baltic, yet its objects of attraction are few, and may be visited in about two hours. Its principal gate, built in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu, and figured by Hogarth in his celebrated picture, is worth a short inspection. The Hôtel de Guise will also interest the English traveller, as having been the place where Henry VIII. lodged, and as the original building where was established the guild hall of the mayor and aldermen of the "staple of wool," founded in 1363 by Edward III. The Hôtel de Ville, or Town Hall, situate in the market place, will repay a visit. Within it are all the public offices, and the front of it is ornamented with busts of St. Pierre, of the Duke of Guise, and of Cardinal de Richelieu. It is surmounted by a belfry, containing a chime of bells. The tower and steeple of the principal church, built when Calais The ramparts around the town and pier forin admirable promenades. The basse-ville, or lower town, is a pleasant walk on a fête day. The new light house should be visited. It is one of the most beautiful works of mechanism in the world. The view from the summit of the tower presents a panoramic scene of great beauty, comprising, on a clear day, the distant cliffs of England, and the outlines of Dover Castle. The public cemetery outside the town contains the ashes of Lady Hamilton (Nelson's Emma), who expired here, destitute and impoverished. The railway from hence to Lille, enables passengers to proceed direct by rail to Brussels and all parts of Belgium; also to Douai and Paris— Travellers proceeding to Belgium or Germany will avoid much trouble by informing the authorities of their place of destination, and by what train they intend to proceed; their luggage should then be duly marked for transit, and they will avoid the annoyance of a custom-house search in France. Travellers with a foreign passport are subject to a visa, the expense of which is two francs. The British minister's passport is an exception, no charge being made for the visa. Travel'ers not going to Paris, but en route to Brussels, need not exchange their passports for a passe provisaire, the visé of the Calais authorities only being necessary to enable them to proceed on their journey. The British consul here will grant a passport for 4s. 6d., to parties not provided with one. The police signature to the passport can be procured at any hour of the day or night, and hence travellers should not be imposed upon by the commissionaries at the hotels, who will often endeavour to detain strangers, on the plea that the police signature cannot be procured. The owner of the passport should attend the police office himself to have it visé. English chapel, Rue des Prêtres; hours of service on Sundays 11 a m. and 3 p.m. Steamers ply thrice each day between Calais and Dover, making the voyage in about one and a half to two hours. Steam-boats sail direct to London twice a week, performing the voyage in from 10 to 12 hours. |