feather, this, in the Belgian cap! The source of their prosperity is the abundance of coal in the neighbourhood. "The mines are worked on the most scientific principles. Previous to the revolution, Holland was supplied with coal from Belgium; but the home consumption has since increased to such an extent, from the numerous manufactories which have sprung up on all sides, that the Belgian mines are now inadequate to supply the demand, and a recent law has been passed, permitting the importation of coals from Newcastle."[1] Wise Hollianders!
The diligences did not suit our hours, and Françoid could obtain no carriage to take us Aix-la-Champelle but an enormous lumbering omnibus. Imagine what a travelling-carriage! Though the distance is but about twenty-five miles, we were nine mortal hours passing it; however, it was through a lovely country, varied with bill and dale, a refreshing variety after the monotonous dead-level of our preceding days in Belgium. On leaving Liege we passed the Meuse and ascended a long hill, and from the summit looked over a world of gracefully-formed land, all under the dominion of the husbandman. The fields are enclosed by hedges, inferior to the English, but resembling them in the trees that intersperse them. There is very little pasture-land amid this garden-like cultivation. I have seen one flock of sheep to-day of a tall, slender breed; and very
- ↑ Murray's Hand-Book
