CHAP. XVII.

Population of the Netherlands--Louvain--Its Public

Buildings--University--Character of the Belgians--By some

represented as the worst in Europe--That Statement probably

overcharged--Extortion--John Bull at Paris--French Kitchens,

&c.--Breweries--Roads--Taste in Gardening--Canals not an agreeable

mode of Travelling--Heavy Taxes--Unsettled Political State--Vast

Numbers of English at Brussels--Its Extent, Population and

Appearance--The Park--Anecdote of Peter the Great--Town

House--Churches--Collections of Paintings--Anecdote of

Bassano--Hotels--Table d'Hote, like the Tables at

Cheltenham--Expence of Living--Houses--Jurourin--Forest of

Sogne--House of Correction compared with ours--Walk round the

City--Fortified Towns--Sieges of Ostend, Valenciennes, Troy and

Azotus--Malines--Considerations on its Decline--Its

Silk--Population--Buildings--Manner of cutting the Trees near the

Roads--Antwerp, its Importance--Docks--River--Riches of

Belgium--Buildings at Antwerp--Accuracy of the Flemish

Painters--Appearance of the Country--The Inns not equally decorated

with those in Germany--Wooden Shoes

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