Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-11-05
FO EiGN.
CITY OF BRiISSFIS

This city, which seems again destined to
be the theatre of sssange events, has at the
present moment a population of go 900 PER.
sons, and shares with the Hague the distinc
ton of being the capital of the Kingdom Of
the Netherlands, as it is, after Client, the
most important place in Flanders. During
the wars OF the l7th and 18th centuries, O.
which the Netherlands were the principal
scene, brussels underwent its share Of suffer.
ing. In 1875, II was bombarded by Marshal
Villeroy, when Ia churches and 400 houses
were destroyed. After the battle uf Families
| it surrendered To Marlborough, but it was Ia.
ken by the French under Marshal SAKE in
TAG, and restored at the peace of AK Ia
Chapeile. During the revolutionary war il
again tell into the hands Of the French, to
whom II remained subject till the peace OF
1914. While under their government, it
was made the seat of a court of Criminal &
Special Justice, Chamber and Tribunal of
Commerce, and Court of Appea. for five
Departments. Most of these privileges are
slii retained, and it shares with the Hague
the meetings of the States General Brus-
sells has always been eminent as manufac-
turing town. The making of lace gives en-
ployment To upwards of 10000 persons. 1t
Is also celebrated for the manufacture of cam
blets, carpets and carriages, which are equal
gance. 1t also'enjoys considerable share
Of commerce through the numerous canals
which lead to the Scheidt The present
hourishing condition of the city is also ow-
ing to the great influx of foreigners, partic-
uiarly French and English. TO the latter it
has been peculiarly attractive, from its con-
tignity to the plain of Waterloo, and we be-
iieve 1t at one time had 5000 English resi-
dents of wealth and distinction within its
confines. AS early indeed as the time of
Cromwell, it was marked in the annals of
England, as being the chosen residence of
Charles H. and OF his brother James Ii. du-
ring the greater part OF their exclusion from
their native country. The interior of the
town Itself offers much to attract strangers.
In the new part OF the town the streets are
spacious and airy, and the custom of paint
ing The outside OF the houses with lively CO.
lours presents an agreeable variety TO the
eye There are many good squares, which
seem to have been the theatre of the late
transactions. The principal are, the Place
Royale. the Great Market, the Place St.
Michael, the Corn Market, and the Grand
Sablon. OF these, the Great Market Place
Is the finest, and, although Of different STYLES
OF architecture, its general effect is exceed
ingly pleasing The Fish Market, althoueb
erected but few years is one of the nea,esl
IN Europe. There is also market for ffogs
which ale brought alive in pals and cans and
prepared for dressing on the spot The hind
limbs, which are the only parts used, are cut
from the body with scissors by the women
who bring the animals for sale. The favo.
rite place OF recreation is the Park. 1t is a
large pleasure-ground adjoining the Palace
land out with great taste, planted with va.
riety ot hne trees and shrubs, and diversified
with lawns ornamented with fountains and
statues. In the centre is fine basin, stock
| ed with gold and silver fish, On each side
OF the principal walk is valley, planted sc
as TO exclude all annoyance from the sun
A fountain In one of these is marked will
an inscription stating that Peter the Great
during his residence here, sat down by il,
margin TO drink bottle of wine. Apothe
version OF the story is, that he fell into i
while sliolIing through the Park after din
Der Both may be true. The Palace of th,
States General is magnificent building
supported on pillars OF the Ionic order. Ii
entrance leads to a spacious hall, on eacl
side OF which IS noble staircase -one con
ductng to the Chamber of Peers, and III,
other To that of the Deputies. This latte
Is a seni-cIrcle, with capacious gallery 70
the people, who are freely admitted, boil
/ male and female, to hear debates TIL,
Town Hall is beautiful gothic building
but so irregular that its tower stands at
great distance from The centre. 1t is 364 fee
J nigh and surrounded with a statue of 81
Michael, In copper gilt, IL feet high. Tn
statue turns on pivot, and serves as van
to show the direction of tho wind. Th