the cure, and proposed to paint an altar piece for his church. The subject was agreed on, and the price fixed at 100 florins. The painting was finished in five days. Van Dyck himself and his horse served as models for the horse and saint, and the beadle of the church for the poor man. The curé was, by chance, a judge of painting; he paid the demand without murmuring, and Van Dyck set out for Rome. This circumstance provided the poor village church with a chef d'œuvre.

ROUTE 7.

Brussels to Paris by Charleroi,

Erquelinnes, and Creil.

Great Luxembourg Station, Quartier Leopold. Distance, 215 miles.

This route is considerably shorter than that by Mons and Valenciennes. On leaving Brussels the train passes through several cuttings, on emerging from which it arrives at

Boitsfort Station, being the first station on the Luxembourg line, and is three miles from Brussels. The village lies in a valley on the border of the Forest of Soignies. It is the great resort of pleasure parties, as it contains several

excellent restaurants and gardens, where provisions may be obtained at reasonable prices. There are some large sheets of water, well stocked with fish, but strictly preserved.

Groenendael Station, 6 miles from Brussels, is situated in the heart of the Forest, and conveyances may be got for Waterloo in one hour. Near the station may be seen the ruined foundations of a priory, which once existed here, and which must have been a large pile of building.

La Hulpe Station, 9 miles from Brussels, near is a village of some importance. It was once a provincial town. From the station there is a fine view over an extensive sheet of water, towards the country seat of the Marquis de Bethune, which is a remarkably fine house, with extensive grounds. From the high ground above the station may be seen, on a clear day, the monumental lion on the ffeld of Waterloo.

Rixensart Station.

Ottignies Station is 12 miles from Brussels, and forms the junction of the Charleroi and Louvain and the Manage and Wavre lines with that of the Luxembourg (as below). It is one

common station for the three companies. There is a considerable movement here, owing to the change of trains by passengers and the goods traffic passing from one line to another.

Court St. Etienne Station.-On leaving this station the traveller should remember that he is approaching one of the most singular and beautiful views in Europe, viz.-The ruins of the Abbey le Villers.

Villers la Ville Station. The line passes through the garden of the Abbey, and generally so rapidly, that only a glimpse can be obtained of these magnificent ruins. The Tourist should therefore make an excursion expressly to visit them from Brussels, or alight at this station and take a subsequent train on to Paris; but the former course is the most pleasant. The Abbey de Villers is one of the most splendid, romantic, and picturesque piles in Europe.

The best view of the ruins is from the terrace gardens beyond the railway; but it is impossible to say which excites the most admiration, the view from the heights around, or a walk through the ruins. No one can behold 'the refectory, the magnificent ruins of the beautiful church, without cloisters, the crypts, the breviary, and last the feelings of awe and wonder. It is a scene of surpassing beauty, particularly in the effulgence of the noon day or setting sun.

The Abbey le Villers was first pillaged, and then set fire to by a party of French Republican soldiers in 1789. The ruins were then sold to a person of the name of La Terrade for 70,000fr., who continued the work of destruction, and left the present ruins, which, with the adjacent land, is how the property of Madeline Huart d'Enghien. Charleroi Station.

Hotels: Du Grande Monarque; De Pays Bas; De l'Univers.

Population, 13,500.

The centre of flourishing collieries, on the Sambre, having the ruins of the old Abbey d'Alne near it, founded in the year 656.

At Charleroi the line branches off, and leads to Walcourt, and having offshoots to Laneffe, Morialme, and Florenne. See Route 8.

After passing Equelinnes, St. Quentin, Creil, and some stations of less importance, we arrive at Paris.

the cure, and proposed to paint an altar piece for his church. The subject was agreed on, and the price fixed at 100 florins. The painting was finished in five days. Van Dyck himself and his horse served as models for the horse and saint, and the beadle of the church for the poor man. The curé was, by chance, a judge of painting; he paid the demand without murmuring, and Van Dyck set out for Rome. This circumstance provided the poor village church with a chef d'œuvre. ROUTE 7.

Brussels to Paris by Charleroi,

Erquelinnes, and Creil.

Great Luxembourg Station, Quartier Leopold. Distance, 215 miles.

This route is considerably shorter than that by Mons and Valenciennes. On leaving Brussels the train passes through several cuttings, on emerging from which it arrives at

Boitsfort Station, being the first station on the Luxembourg line, and is three miles from Brussels. The village lies in a valley on the border of the Forest of Soignies. It is the great resort of pleasure parties, as it contains several excellent restaurants and gardens, where provisions may be obtained at reasonable prices. There are some large sheets of water, well stocked with fish, but strictly preserved.

Groenendael Station, 6 miles from Brussels, is situated in the heart of the Forest, and conveyances may be got for Waterloo in one hour. Near the station may be seen the ruined foundations of a priory, which once existed here, and which must have been a large pile of building.

La Hulpe Station, 9 miles from Brussels, near is a village of some importance. It was once a provincial town. From the station there is a fine view over an extensive sheet of water, towards the country seat of the Marquis de Bethune, which is a remarkably fine house, with extensive grounds. From the high ground above the station may be seen, on a clear day, the monumental lion on the field of Waterloo.

Rixensart Station.

Ottignies Station is 12 miles from Brussels, and forms the junction of the Charleroi and Louvain and the Manage and Wavre lines with that of the Luxembourg (as below). It is one

common station for the three companies. There is a considerable movement here, owing to the change of trains by passengers and the goods traffic passing from one line to another.

Court St. Etienne Station. On leaving this station the traveller should remember that he is approaching one of the most singular and beautiful views in Europe, viz.-The ruins of the Abbey le Villers.

Villers la Ville Station. The line passes through the garden of the Abbey, and generally so rapidly, that only a glimpse can be obtained of these magnificent ruins. The Tourist should therefore make an excursion expressly to visit them from Brussels, or alight at this station and take a subsequent train on to Paris; but the former course is the most pleasant. The Abbey de Villers is one of the most splendid, romantic, and picturesque piles in Europe.

The best view of the ruins is from the terrace gardens beyond the railway; but it is impossible to say which excites the most admiration, the view from the heights around, or a walk through the ruins. No one can behold 'the refectory, the cloisters, the crypts, the breviary, and last the magnificent ruins of the beautiful church, without feelings of awe and wonder. It is a scene of surpassing beauty, particularly in the effulgence of the noon day or setting sun.

The Abbey le Villers was first pillaged, and then set fire to by a party of French Republican soldiers in 1789. The ruins were then sold to a person of the name of La Terrade for 70,000fr., who continued the work of destruction, and left the present ruins, which, with the adjacent land, is now the property of Madeline Huart d'Enghien. Charleroi Station.

Hotels: Du Grande Monarque; De Pays Bas;

De l'Univers.

Population, 13,500.

The centre of flourishing collieries, on the Sambre, having the ruins of the old Abbey d'Alne near it, founded in the year 656.

At Charleroi the line branches off, and leads to Walcourt, and having offshoots to Laneffe, Morialme, and Florenne. See Route 8.

After passing Equelinnes, St. Quentin, Creil, and some stations of less importance, we arrive at Paris.

Brussels to Namur, Liége, and Cologne. Ottignies Station, Great Luxembourg line. The scenery by this route is exceedingly fine, particularly between Namur and Liége.

Mont St. Guibert Station, at a picturesque village. There are the remains of an old castle on the property of Mr. Deman, which will be seen from the railway. The château itself is worth seeing, but the grounds are only open to the public on the payment of half a franc each, which Mr. Deman gives to the poor of the commune.

Gembloux Station, where the line from Fleurus to Ramillies crosses, near a small town, the trade of which is cutlery. It lies in a hollow.

Rhisnes Station. The last station before After reaching Namur, in a lovely country. passing several cuttings, the line is carried over a long bank, below which lies the river Sambre, presenting a rich scene. Namur.-Route 8.

ROUTE 7B.

Brussels to Paris, by way of Mons and Quiévrain.

Brussels to Soignies and Jurbise, see Route 2.

Between Jurbise and Mons the road presents many engineering difficulties. On approaching Mons the traveller sees its steeples, towers, and fortifications stretched before him. Before entering the town, the commune of Nimy and the river Haine are passed; running parallel to one another, the railroad and river pass through a bastion, and enter the town together. The Station is situated within the arsenal.

Mons Station. Hotels: De la Couronne; De l'Aigle Noir; Royal; Du Singe d'Or.

A large and fortified town, 38 miles from Brussels, the chief town of the province of Hainault. Population, 31,000. The river Trouille divides it into two parts, and is partly overlooked by the mound of the Panina. It is said that Julius Cæsar built a castle here, which, taking the name of Castrum Cæsaris, formed the beginning of the town of Mons--destroyed by the barbarians in the

fifth century. Alberic, Count of Hainault, repaired the remains of the town, and surrounded it with walls. In 804, Charlemagne formed it into the capital of a province. Mons after this became the scene of many troubles. Under the reign of Charles V. it had its greatest degree of prosperity; the manufactures of cloth and serge were carried on to a great extent. Iron was wrought here to great advantage, and the beauty of the chasing in their jewellery excited the admiration of strangers. Under the French Republic, Mons became the department of Jemappes. The fortifications, rebuilt in 1815, upon a new plan, are preserved with much care. The streets are steep, but wide, clean, and in good repair. The monuments and curiosities are numerous, and worthy of attention.

Mons was the natal town of Orlando Lassus, the celebrated musician of the sixteenth century. Ten miles south of Mons, within the French territories, is the spot where was fought the sanguinary battle of Malplaquet, at which the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene conquered the French, and lost on the battle field 20,000 men.

Mons has a communication with the Scheldt by the Canal de Condé; and also, by railway, with Jurbise, Ath, Tournai, Lille, and Calais.

Mons also possesses manufactures of gloves, leather, and cutlery, and several tan-yards and bleaching grounds. The principal buildings are the Castle, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Church of St. Waudru, which is said to be built on the site of Cæsar's Castle. The altar deserves attention. There is also a Theatre, a Public Library, a College, and a Foundling Hospital. Mons was the birthplace of Peter Denys, a journeyman blacksmith, who constructed the beautiful iron ornaments which decorate the Abbey of St. Denis, near Paris.

Church of St. Waudru-is said to be the finest in Belgium. It was founded in 1460, on the site of another church, burnt in 1169. More than a century elapsed ere the works were finished. The nave is a masterpiece of boldness, elegance, and lightness; the numerous columns which adorn it, and form innumerable Gothic arches at the top, compose a most delightful whole. Space will not permit us to enter further into detail in connection with the many curiosities of this church save in

allowing us to notice the splendid picture of the Exaltation of St. Francis, by Van Thulden; a Descent from the Cross, by Teniers; a Gothic altar, finely sculptured; the beautiful stained glass in the windows; and last, though not least, the fine statues, formerly adorning the screen, but happily preserved.

St. Elizabeth.-This church is remarkable for its light and graceful spire.

St. Nicholas, in Havre, is noted for the severe and imposing aspect of the interior. It possesses some fine carving in wood. From the tower of the belfry a magnificent view of the surrounding country is obtained.

The Public Library is open every day; it contains 13,000 volumes, and about 300 manuscripts.

Hôtel de Ville is a Gothic edifice, erected in the year 1440. It contains nothing remarkable, but is the chief ornament of the Grand Square.

The Palais de Justice and Museum will well repay a visit.

At Mons a branch railway ensures a direct communication from Paris to Charleroi, Namur, and Cologne. This route avoids the detour to Braine-le-Comte. On leaving Mons, the railway crosses the river Trouille, and passes not very far from the Canal de Condé and the sluices of St. Ghislain; after which it reaches Jemappes Station.

MONS TO QUIÉVRAIN.- After leaving the fortification, the railroad inclines at first towards the right, traversing an extensive plain, bounded on the left by the Panisel and the little hills of Flènu, and crowned by the high chimneys of numerous coal works. The canal from Mons to Condé, which,

in a distance of five leagues, runs in a perfectly straight line, is seen on the left, as also the village of Cuesme, the theatre of one of the most sanguinary episodes of the celebrated battle of Jemappes. Passing the levant of Flènu,

Jemappes Station is reached. A small village remarkable for the victory gained by the French under General Dumourier, and the late Louis Philippe, when Duke de Chartres, over the Austrians, 1792. A stone close to the post road marks the scene of the battle. Outside the town are immense heaps of coal; these are the accumulations

of a busy time, brought to supply an apparent demand, which, however, did not last long. The village of Quaregnon is passed after leaving Jemappes, near to which are seen the ruins of the ancient tower, known by the name of the High Court. The railroad here takes a considerable bend, and shortly after runs into the straight line, which continues to the frontier. The country on each side is in high cultivation, and adorned with many beautiful country houses.

St. Ghislain Station is next reached, the church of which is on the right. On the left are the magnificent establishments of Hornu, established by the late Mad. Degorges Legrand. St. Ghislain is a very ancient town; population, 3,600. The surrounding country very much resembles the neighbourhood of Manchester and Bolton.

Boussu Station is the next. The chief place of a canton; population, 3,500. The château of the Count de Caraman, at present the property of the Count de Nedonchelles, is here situated. This architectural wonder should be seen by the tourist; there are many remarkable traditions connection with it. The station has been erected in a part of the magnificent park, from which it is separated by a splendid iron railing. The church of Boussu contains some fine pieces of sculpture. Between Boussu and Thulin, the next station, there is nothing worthy of notice. Quiévrain is arrived at shortly after leaving Thulin; it is the last station of the Belgian Railway. The office of the Belgian Custom House is here, and the passports and baggage of parties entering Belgium are examined.

Quiévrain Station (the Belgian Custom House).-A town containing 2,000 inhabitants, carrying on an active commerce with France. It does not absolutely contain anything worth notice. This is the frontier station of the Southern Line and the point of junction with the Great Northern of France Railway.

Blanc Misseron Station (on French soil) is next met with, after which we enter

Valenciennes.-Route 1.

Valenciennes to Paris by rail. The delay during the examination of luggage which takes place at Valenciennes is considerable.