The Sun.
London, England, 1802-10-07 00:00:00

FRANCE.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM PARTS, Uri. 29.

(Continued from our Papa• of Tuesday.)

" FrOm Nieuport to Bruges, the distance is rather
better than • seven leagues, or twenty-one English
miles ; you dine on board the Barge, for which you
pay, in the best Cabin, is. zd. exclusive of wine,.
which is charged after the rate of it: 2d. per bot-
tle. We had a very good dinner, consiting of Soup,
bouille, fish, pigeons,'partridges, roast veal, vege.
tables, and a desert of grapes, peaches, pears,
Beer is given gratis ; but it is of such an inferior
quality, that most of my Countrymen, I am per-
suaded, would drink water in preference. For
your conveyance, in the Barge, from Nieuport to
Bruges, rou,pay in the best Cabin ts. sid•, in the
second. Cabin ts. and for the Deck Bd.
" Passing along the Canal, you see Ostend at the
distance of about three miles. Almost immediate-
ly adjoining to Ostend, you discover a long sue-
cession of Wind.mills, only three of which are
worked at present, the French having despoiled and
sold the machinery of all the rest. We arrived at
Bruges about ten o'clock at night; the Town-gates
had been shut for some time, but the Centinels al.
ways open them to Passengers whn arrive by the
Barge. We were called upon to produce our Pais,
ports, but I observed, as well in this place, as in.
all the other Towns I have passed through, with
the exception of Calais, that the Ladies pass free,
no question being put to them, whether they have
a Passport or not. I took up my quarters at the
Fleur de Bled, which is considered the best inn in
the whOle town. The Landlord speaks a little
broken English, sufficient at least to understand,
and render himself intelligible to such of 'my Coun-
trymen, as have not acquired a competent
ledge of the French language.
" The next morning after breakfast, I received a
polite invitation to dinner from Mr. BAtrwEws, a
Gentleman, who afted as Commissary to the British
Artny in Flanders, during the Duitz of VORX'S
Campaign,• and who seizes with avidity every oP-
porrunity Of testifying his regard and esteem for the
English_ Nation. Ilia Gentleman has but recently
returned to Bruges, having. been an. Emigrant in
different parts of the Continent, but chiefly at Lu-
beck, for eight years. On his arrival at Bruges,
about six mbnths ago, the Mayor and Corporation
went out to Meet him, and his Tenants , (for he is
the principal Land-holder in the whole Department)
joined the procession, carrying with them the eight
year's rent whiCh had become due during his ab-.
sence.-.' Mr. BAUWENS assured me, that the sweet
sensations he experienced on this occasion, to see
the universal joy manifested by. all ranks on his. re.
turn, more than compensated Min for all, the depri-
vations and uneasiness lie had suffered during his
lung exile. The,househe at present inhabits, and
‘vhich is,- beyond comparison, the finest I have seen
abroad, not excepting those of Paris itself, resembles
a Palace rather than a private Mansion, and is fur.
nished in a stile of magnificence equal to that of our
first Nobility : it was built under thetliredion of
his uncle, during his absence.
" The following mofning after breakfast, Mr.'
BAUWENS introduced me to the pi#3,s of, the
?Vice, and afterwards took me to the Palais de
since, where he presented me to the President,
KEEK6:4ACHEit and his Ludy. I was re-
ceiv.ed by this Gentleman in the
,most friendly and
gracious manner, and understanding that I came on
a Tour of Observation, he accompanied me in• per-
son to all the different Public Offices, and circuat-
stantially explained to me the whole process of eon.
duEtirtg the Criminal jurisdielion of the Town.—
All causes are tried here, in open. Court, as with
us, only with this difference, that the Hall of
Justice is much larger.arri more commodious than
the Courts of London. There is another singula-
rity with respell to the Jury, which I must not pass
over unnoticed ; instcad•of being locked up, as with
us, till they agree in their verdia, they are, iut cases
of doubtful import, when they cannot easily come
to a decision, permitted to go to their own homes,
pledging their word of honour, that they will not
hold' any, conference with any of the friends of either
party, the accaser or the accused. It is not neces.
sary that they should all agree in their Vcrdit, as
a majority of two.thirds carries the question. The
Hall into whiCh they retire' to deliberate, was for-
merly, under the ancient Reginte,theTottrerc-Cham-
her, hut this horrible pra&ice, so repugnant to
every principle of justice and humanity, is now abo-
lished. The fire-place of this room is entitled to
peculiar mention, being a beautiful piece of sculp-
ture, executed by a distinguished Artist under ten.
tence of death, but whose punishment was com.
muted into that of imprisdnment, on condition -of
his achieving the present performance.