Chapter I

_The Palaces of Brussels_--Palace of the Prince of
Orange--Embarrassment of the government respecting it--Description
of the interior--_Chambers of the Belgian legislature_--Palais de
la Nation--Constitution of Belgium--Variable franchise--Removal
of the picture of Waterloo--THE PARK--Singular scenes of
the revolution--Curious account of the adventures of an
English party at the Hôtel de Bellevue during the riots at
Brussels--_Works of the Société du Renard at Brussels_--The
road to Antwerp--Villas--Old châteaux--House of Rubens and
Teniers--The village of Vieux Dieux--Appearance of the
country--_The tower of the cathedral_--Fortifications--Narrow
streets--Palace of Napoleon--The houses--_History of
Antwerp_--Festival of the ladies’ eve--Immense commerce in the
sixteenth century--Closing of the Scheldt in 1648--Projects of
Napoleon for Antwerp--Arsenal and locks--_Trade from 1815 to
1830_--Affected by the revolution--Transit trade of Belgium--Absurd
system of competition with Holland--RUBENS--Fêtes in his
honour--Modern painters--_Verboeckhoven_--_The Museum_--Rubens’
genius--The Crucifixion--The adoration of the Magi--Vandyke--_The
cathedral_--View from the tower--Crucifix made from the statue of
Alva--Monument of Quentin Metsys--Interior of the church--_Rubens’
Descent from the Cross_--The tomb of Rubens in the Church of St.
Jacques--_Church of St. Paul_--The Calvary and Purgatory--Aspect
of a Roman Catholic place of worship--A lady of Antwerp at
vespers--_St. Andrews’ Church_--Superb pulpit--Monument to Mary
Queen of Scotland--Dinner with M. David--Want of carpets in
continental houses--THE CITADEL--Extraordinary scene--General
Chassé--The patriot army--The singular history of its three
commanders--The bombardment--Places at the theatre to see the
siege. 1