Chapter IV

Huy--The citadel--Churches--_The mineral and coal districts of
Belgium_--Prosperity of coal mines--Quantity produced in Belgium
compared with other countries--Its price at Ghent, Brussels,
and Antwerp--Panic in 1836 for the exhaustion of coal in
Belgium--Scenery of the Meuse--Remarkable individuals born in its
vicinity--Chateaux of Aigrement and Chokier--_Seraing_--Immense
extent of the works--Its produce within its own walls--History
of the establishment--Palace of the Prince Bishops of
Liege--Encouraged by the King of Holland--The building--Huge
steam engine--Surprising extent of the operations carried
on--Iron works--Halls for construction of machines--Vast numbers
of workmen employed--Its exports--_Mr. John Cockerill_--Extent
of his speculations--Development of Seraing attributable to
them--Its future prospects--Policy of England in regard to the
export of machinery--_Importation of machinery into Belgium_--Road
to Liege--LIEGE--No sympathy with its history--Turbulent and
unamiable character of its ancient populace--Prince Bishop declares
war upon France--Share of the Liegois in the revolution of
1830--Her threatened attack upon Seraing--The town--_Manufacture
of fire-arms and cannon_--A flax mill--Its churches poor--The
Palais de Justice--University--_Scenery of the Vesdre_--The
railroad--_Chaud-fontaine_--SPA--Deserted--VERVIERS--The
town--Conduct during the revolution--_The woollen trade of
Belgium_--Want of native wool--Extent and decline of the trade--Its
causes--Statement of M. Briavionne--_Joint Stock Companies_ in
Belgium--Account of two at Verviers--The mania for speculation--Its
failure--The Prussian frontier--Limbourg--Prospects of Belgium--Her
bad condition--Policy of the King of Holland--That of the
present government--Present aspect of their trade--Impossibility
of competing with England--Character of the Belgian
mechanics--_Ruinous effects of the_ “REPEAL OF THE UNION.” 166