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portico supported by eight Ionic columns. There are about five hundred students educated, at a very moderate expense, by seventeen professors, who are also obliged to give gratuitous evening lectures, to the working classes, on arithmetic, elementary algebra, practical geometry, architecture, lineardrawing, mechanics, and chemistry applied to the arts and manufactures. Liége is the seat of a superior court, whose jurisdiction extends over the provinces of Liége, Namur, Limburg, and Luxemburg, and, in addition to the University, it possesses a Societé de Libre Emulation, a free competition school, founded in 1779 by Bishop Velbruch, a school of arts and trade, a singing school, a museum of natural history and philosophy, a botanic garden, a society for the cultivation of French literature, the last, it may naturally be concluded, a highly beneficial institution, as the lower classes of the inhabitants speak the Walloon or provincial dialect, which is alike unintelligible to the Fleming, Dutchman, and Frenchman. views from the old citadel on Mount St. Walburg, the maison de Piéte overlooking the river, and, above all the fine panorama of the town and surrounding country from the Cherbreux mountain should not be left unobserved.

The

A considerable trade in coal, which abounds in the neighbourhood, extending its veins even under the bed of the Meuse, is carried on, and the various objects of exportation consists in the productions of the soil and numerous manufactories, viz., iron, marble, lime, brimstone, alum, tobacco, grain, colza, hops, endive, game, nails, pottery, glass, paper, soap, perfumery, leather, steel, hardware, jewellery, hats, arms of all kinds, cotton, worsted, cloth, kerseymere, gauzes, optical, mathematical, and surgical instruments, damask table-linen, articles in horn, thimbles, straw-hats, machinery, files, Davy's safety-lamps, barometers, crystal, copperas. There are also in the town, a manufactory of Firearms and a Cannon-foundry, before referred to, and an extensive establishment for the production of printed calicoes after a new process recently adopted, and a chlorine bleaching-field, in which the operation of bleaching is completed in a few hours. Cast-iron printing presses, and all kinds of steam-engines are manufactured in the greatest perfection at Liége, particularly at the establish

ment of Mr. Cockerill, at Seraing, a suburb of Liége, before-mentioned (see Route 9), which constantly employs many thousand men. It may be reached by omnibus, steamer, or rail.

Among the celebrated men to whom Liége has given birth, are Gaspard Lairéne, surnamed the Dutch Raphael, author of a treatise on painting; the ingenious Renchin, who constructed the great machine at Marly, near Versailles; the jurisconsul Méan; and Grétry, whose Richard Cœur de Lion alone suffices to secure him immortal fame. The Place Grétry is ornamented with a bust, by Geefs, of that eminent composer, born, 1741, and who died at Montmorency in 1813.

Liége to Spa. This is one of the most interesting sections of the Belgian railways, where considerable difficulties to all appearance have been overcome. Quitting Guillemins Station, the most remarkable structure is shortly arrived at; it is the beautiful Bridge of Val-Benoit, a masterpiece of architecture. There are five eliptical arches, surmounted by a parapet composed of iron balustrades and square pillars, dividing the rows of rails. The railroad passes on one side, and inferior a pavement. conveyances on the other, over The There is also a road for foot passengers. beautiful cast-iron balustrade is lighted by elegant candelabra. After passing the Meuse, a splendid panorama is presented to the eye of the delighted traveller. On the left is Liége, "the turbulent city." Nothing can be prettier than the valley of the Meuse-and few scenes are more pleasing than the landscape which skirts the two banks of the river. Passing through an interesting country, and leaving the junction for Marche on the right, we arrive at

Chênée Station. A manufacturing place, situated at the junction of the Ourthe with the Vesdre. The railway passes the beautiful vale of the Vesdre Limbourg. The scenery along is interspersed with orchards, villas, gardens, and rich pasturage, at times varied by large manufactories, principally of cloth, all along to

Chaudfontaine Station (Warm Fountain).
Inns Hotel des Bains,
Population, 1888,

A beautiful village 5 miles distant from Liége, on the Cologne Railway, delightfully situated in the valley de la Vesdre, much frequented by travellers on account of its picturesque promenades and warm mineral springs, as also from its proximity to Spa and Verviers. The season for taking the baths commences on the 1st of May, and travellers going to the Rhine, or returning from Germany, find it most refreshing to take a few hours' rest at this charming place, and in so doing they obviate the expenses incidental to the removal of luggage to and from the stations of larger towns. Some distance further on, a high hill on the left is passed, forming an amphitheatre. On certain parts it is destitute of a covering of earth, thus exposing to view layers of green-tinted marble, having a fine effect. Between this and the station at Pepinster, a country, wild and beautiful by turns, is traversed.

Le Trooz Station. Where gun barrels are bored. Then

Nessonvaux Station, near the Château de Masures, a modern seat.

Pepinster Station.-Railway to Spa; distance 7 miles. Seven trains daily in summer (see BRADSHAW'S Continental Guide).

The line to Spa proceeds along the valley of the Hoegne, studded with country houses belonging to the manufacturers of Verviers. Beyond is Theux Station, among noted quarries of black marble.

SPA Station.-Hotels:

Hotel d'Orange.-First rate hotel patronised by

the first families. The proprietor, Mr. Muller, speaks English, and is particularly attentive.

D'York, good, and very respectable.

Hotel de Flandre, an old-established good house. Grand Hotel des Bains, Place Royale, well situated, entirely refurnished--combines elegance and comfort with moderate prices.

Hotel des Pays Bas, a quiet well-conducted house, and reasonable prices.

Grand Hotel Britannique, kept by Mr. F. Leyh, a very good hotel, well situated; moderate charges. Hotel de l'Europe, opposite the Cascade; kept by Mr. Henrard Richard. A very good house.

Hotel du Portugal, well situated, facing one of the finest promenades. Kept by L. Gernay,

De Bellecour; Des Etrangers.
Cafés Restaurant are very numerous: De Paris
De la Redoute; Rocher de Cancale.

There are numbers of lodging-houses.
Population, 5,700.

English Service.-At the Vauxhall.
Physician.-Dr. Cutler, author of "Notes on

Spa."

Exchange Office.-Mr. Suffell (at Hotel de Flandre.) SPA is a town in the arrondissement of Verviers, situated on the little river Wahay, in a valley surrounded by heights. It dates from the year. 1327, when its founder, an ironmaster, who purchased from the prince-bishop of Liége a quantity of woodland (in which the Pouhan spring was discovered), caused the ground to be cleared, and reared the first habitations. It afterwards became celebrated throughout Europe for its mineral waters, attracting crowds of strangers, particularly from England, as well as America; and has more than once been honoured with the presence of several crowned heads, in the pursuit of health.

The town comprises upwards of 500 houses; the greater part, tastefully and elegantly furnished, assume the name of hotels, and offer every accommodation to those taking up a temporary abode in the place. The principal street is terminated by an irregularly-shaped place or square, in the centre of which stands a fountain, and near it a large public saloon, built in 1820, in remembrance of Peter I., the Emperor of Russia, who derived great benefit from its waters, during a residence of six weeks, in 1717. The productions of the neighbourhood are not equal to the consumptior of the town during the period of the influx of strangers; and fruit, vegetables, fish, and poultry are consequently brought from Liége. The ordinary water is excellent, and more pure than might have been expected in a spot abounding in mineral springs. The principal industry of the inhabitants is the fabrication of an infinite variety of articles, known as Spa Ware; these articles, the best of which are made of the bird's-eye maple, and are previously stained grey by immersion in the mineral water of the place, are often elaborately painted, and are then really works of art; the flower painting is exquisite. The great improvement which has taken place of late years

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in this peculiar industry, is mainly owing to the foundation of a drawing academy in 1843, which has produced many very clever artists.

Mineral Springs.-Of these there are no less than seven, without counting a variety that lose themselves in the mountain. The names of the most important are the Pouhon, the Geronstére, the Sauvenière, the Groesbeck, the two fountains of the Tonnelet, and the Barisart.

The Pouhon is the most celebrated and best frequented, and the only one from which Spa water is taken for the purpose of being sent to foreign countries. It rises from the ground in the centre of the town, and is supposed to have its source in the mountain of argillaceous slate, the base of which is veined with oxide of iron. At some distance to the west the slate appears slightly mixed with silex and alum, and is easily decomposed by the atmosphere and rain. The Pouhon is enclosed in a regular building, decorated with columns; and those drinking the waters find refuge from the inclemency of the weather in a saloon of the monument, already mentioned, erected to the memory of Peter the Great. The spring is equal to the daily consumption; it even loses much of its water, of which no use is made, and appears more or less abundant, and possesses its medicinal qualities in a greater or less degree, according to the season of the year. Notwithstanding the great number of those who drink it, the consumption of the inhabitants, who make a habitual use of it, from 800 to 1,000 pitchers sent daily to foreign countries, the diminution in the basin is scarcely perceptible. The water is perfectly limpid, but it deposits an ochrey or metallic earth, which is daily removed from the mouth of the fountain, and gaseous bubbles constantly rise from the bottom of the spring, bursting with a dull sound on the surface of the water, the temperature of which is 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or 8 degrees Réaum, and its specific gravity 1.00098. It has a ferruginous, acidulous taste, without smell, unless after the longest rains. The Pouhon spring is impregnated with iron and carbonic acid in a greater degree than any other spring known. To the former quality it is indebted for its medicinal qualities; while from the superabundance of the carbonic acid it is capable of being preserved during entire years in well

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corked bottles and pitchers, and for this reason is. sent in considerable quantities to foreign countries.

The Geronstére is the principal spring after the Pouhon, and that of which the greatest use is made. It lies about three-quarters of a league from Spa, half way to the mountain, forming a semicircle round the town to the south. It comes from a solitary grove, near the dwelling-house of the keepers, in which is a pretty large saloon, whither the water-drinkers resort in bad weather. Fine groups of trees, and alleys with agreeable footpaths winding through charming meadows, lend their influence to the vicinity, and those frequenting this well, to indulge in the pleasures of the promenade. The mouth of the spring is contained in a round basin, covered over with a cupola, and connected with the saloon by a gallery. Fewer of those bubbles that burst on reaching the surface of the water are seen here than at the Pouhon; but the most striking difference between the two wells is perhaps to be found in the disagreeable smell emitted by the water of the Geronstére. Its taste is decidedly ferruginous, but less acidulous than the Pouhon, and its temperature 49 Fahrenheit, or 7.55 Réaum. Specific gravity, '0008. Pic-nic parties and fêtes perpetually enliven the beautiful grounds of the Geronstére during the

season.

The Sauvenière is situated half a league from Spa, in the direction of the Geronstére, and on the route to Malmedy. The spring, which flows from a rock, is covered from a cupola, and connected by a gallery with an adjoining saloon. On emptying the basin it is found to fill itself in twenty minutes Sometimes the water is divested of smell, and at other times it possesses, though in a slighter degree, more than that of the Geronstére. temperature is 49.5 Fahrenheit or 7.77 Réaum. Specific gravity, 1.00075.

Its

The Groesbeck is in the neighbourhood of the Sauvenière, and like it is covered over. From an inscription we learn that the Baron of Groesbeck, who recovered his health there in 1651, erected this building through gratitude. The temperature of the water is 49-5 degrees Fahrenheit or 7.77 degrees Réaum. Specific gravity, 1.00073. position of these springs is very picturesque, and the grounds attached to them are much admired

The

Adjoining them is a beautiful ravine, and a comfortable establishment is attached to these springs, and great numbers of visitors breakfast here in fine weather.

The Tonnelets, which derive their names from the circumstance of the basin for the reception of the water having at first been formed of a tonneau or barrel, are situated about a quarter of an hour's walk from the Sauvenière. The ground is moist and swampy in many places. Among other springs that take their rise in this spot, there are two at an inconsiderable distance from each other that merit particular attention, on account of the difference existing in their constituent parts. One of them is covered, and presents a handsome portico and columns, while the other, whose virtues entitle it to a higher distinction and more consideration, has not received a similar mark of honour. The latter flows abundantly from a schistus rock, and continually gives out a quantity of gas, producing an unceasing noise, similar to the crackling of flames. The temperature is 7.77 degrees Réaum, or 493 degrees Fahrenheit, with a specific gravity of 1.00075. When poured into a glass the water presents a crystalline limpidity, and produces a quantity of bubbles. Its taste is more agreeable and less ferruginous than those above described, and it is used as the ordinary drink of the inhabitants. The smell resembles that of the Geronstére, but is somewhat less strong. Both these fountains are remarkable for the quantity of carbonic acid they contain, and with which the ground in the vicinity seems strongly impregnated; for it is given out, not merely with the water, but it is even evaporated in the clefts of the rocks bordering the springs.

The Barisart is situated at a about a mile from the town of Spa, lying due South; it is reached by a new road opened through a pleasent valley, the road being continued on to the Geronstére. This spring, like all the rest, contains abundance of carbonic acid gas. Its flavour is most agreeable, and its appearance in the glass is as sparkling as the water of the Pouhon. This valuable spring was a roadside well, only reputed among the peasantry for its vermifuge qualities, until Dr. Catler's researches, in regard to its other medicinal properties, led to its almost mmediate appreciation

by the public. The authorities of the place then directed their attention to this delicious source, the most powerful of all in dyspeptic affections; improved the appearance of the spot by an ornamental plantation; enclosed the well in solid masonry, lined within by a cast-iron cylinder, to exclude the ingress of the soft springs, and constructed over it a grotto of the boulders scattered about the neighbourhood, the whole surmounted by a pretty Kiosque. A châlet is to be shortly built for the better accommodation of invalids, and when completed, the Barisart, now the most frequented of all the springs out of the town, will be one of the prettiest objects in the environs of Spa.

The Chalybeate Waters of Spa are distinguished from those of Germany by the greater quantity of carbonic acid gas they contain, and, with the exception of the springs of Pyrmont, there is none that may be compared to them in this respect. When speaking of waters highly impregnated with carbonic acid, the late Dr. Murray, in his Materia Medica, says, "They are grateful from their pungency, sit light on the stomach, and in a large dose produce a sensible degree of exhilaration; the increase the appetite, and generally have a diuretic effect. They prove useful in dyspeptic affections, from the grateful and moderate stimulus exerted by the diluent operation of the water; and hence the advantage derived from them in the numerous chronic affections connected with the impaired power of the digestive organs, and particularly in simple dyspepsia, in hypochondriasis, and gout. They generally also contain some saline substances, which communicate additional powers; and the operation of these is promoted, or at least they are rendered more grateful, by the carbonic acid."

The Spa waters are perhaps the most useful in nervous and uterine affections, and in disorders of the digestive system; in liver complaints from long residence in hot climates they are invaluable. There are two bath establishments at Spa.

The Rédoute is one of the finest establishments of the kind in Europe. The exterior of this edifice, from its simplicity, would certainly not lead the stranger to suspect the richness of its interior. Besides a café and a billiard room, there

is an elegant saloon in the style of Louis XV., and a smaller one adjoining for the games of Roulette and Rouge et Noir. These are to be suppressed, 1872. In the largest of these rooms are the principal European newspapers; a gallery ornamented with pictures and stataury connects with a ball room of majestic and harmonious proportions, in the best style of Grecian architecture, near which is the theatre, wherein four times a week, during the season, comedy and light opera are performed.

The Redoute is the great centre of the fashionable guests from the 1st of May to the 31st of October. There are two other nobles edifices for balls and fêtes, the Vauxhall and Salle Levos; they are both surrounded by beautiful pleasure grounds. Steeple chases take place in June and September, and flat races in August; very large sums are run for, granted by the town and Belgian Government.

Spa is exceedingly well supplied with masters in every branch of learning and art, for the education of youth. A subscription pack of good working harriers is kept, with which strangers are permitted to hunt. This place has become of late years a winter residence; and divine service is performed twice every Sunday, throughout the year, by the resident clergyman. There is an excellent club, called the "Spa Union," situated at the entrance of allée de sept heures, one of the lovely promenades with which the place abounds. More than 300 saddle horses and ponies are let out to visitors, and the carriages for hire are not inferior to those of Paris or London. The ponies are sure footed animals of Andalusian blood.

The neighbourhood of Spa offers a variety of delightful excursions, the favourite haunts being 1. The Cascade of Coo, formed by a fall of the Salm, 60 feet high, when it hurries to join the Ambleve in a very picturesque valley. It is separated from Spa by a plateau called Fagnes. 2. The Grotto of Remouchamps (distance 12 kiloms., 9 miles). The grotto penetrates the rock 460 metres, and is adorned with fantastic and graceful stalactites and stalamites, assuming the shape of flowers, drapery, and strange forms and figures of real or imaginary things. It contains a number of halls such as the Salle des Fées, the Temple de

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Ensival Station is the next arrived at; near a town possessed of numerous factories, with a population of 3,000. The steeple of the church, the top of which is very elegant, produces a pleasing effect. Leaving Ensival the railroad passes through a long tunnel, and enters Verviers. Verviers Station.

Hotel: Du Chemin de Fer.-This comfortable house is most conveniently situated, opposite the railway station. Persons wishing to take refreshments at the rooms here should refer to the tarift of prices before ordering, as several complaints of the charges have been recently addressed to us. A statue to Cobden was set up, 1866, by his freetrade admirers.

Situated in the valley of the Vesdre, about 16 miles from Liége, the seat of the cloth trade, and may justly be termed the Leeds of Belgium. Population, about 33,000, happy and thriving. It is rarely that a complaint is heard from Verviers of want of employment; the manufacturers, instead of distracting the government with demands which it cannot satisfy, quietly pursue their vocation, and study to improve their productions; many of them are very wealthy. The town contains nothing. remarkable, but the site is extremely picturesque. The railway station is very convenient for the examination of the luggage and passports by the Belgian authorities, which takes place here in returning from Germany.

Here travellers entering Belgium from Prussia have their luggage subjected to a long and tedious: examination. Carriages are also changed here.

Conveyances.-Railway trains to Aix-la-Chapelle and Cologne; to Liége, Tirlemont, Louvain, Malines, Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, and Ostend, see BRADSHAW's Continental Guide. A loop line to Aixla-Chapelle, via Walkenried, was opened, 1872,

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