New-York daily tribune., 1843-11-11
Letters from lr. Weed -. !. No. xxx.
Correspondence of the Albany Evening Journal.

Correspon ndence OF the Albany Evening journal
= ANTWERP, Oct, IA, lsi3.
When we were driven up last evening to the
Hotel du Parke,' In this ancient city, the host
informed us that his house was full, aud thas as
tomorrow was fete day. we were likely to get
the same answer at the other Hotels. Thus IN
formation, with the RAIN descending in torrents,
in night pitchy dark. was any thing but com,
fortinp. Wew were then driven over to the Grand
Labourer,' where we were agreeaby surprised
with excellent accommodations.
After cheering our spirits with a capital Elan
ders supper we inquired into the occasion of the
Fete.' and were informed that the connecting
link in continuous Railroad from Antwerp to
Cologne being finished, the Cars were to come
through with the Directors, Dlgmtaries, dlstin-
a,uished Citizens, &C., for whom Reception,
Dinner. a Ball, and an Illumination were beng
prepared by the citizens OF Antwerp.
At two O'Clock to-day we repaired to the ter
minus of the Railway, at one OF the magnificent
Docks which were excavated by Bonaparte with
view Of making Antwerp great Commercial
City, to await the arrival of the Tram, In which
it was hoped rather than expected, the Kings Of
Prussia and Belgium would be found. The yes
sells in the harbor were tastefnliy dressed with
fags, streamers, &c. Among them were two
American ships, (the Concord OF Boston, and
the Moseile of New Orleans,) on board Of the
former of which, under the glorious Stars and
Stripes of our beloved country, we took our po-
sltion.
A noble Arch, with appropriate decorations, was
erected at the Station, and either side OF the
Railway, for more than mile, banners were dis
played and throngs OF people were assembled
The train was announced, at 8 o'clock, by the
Gr,o e md d.
tions Of the multitude.
CongratuIatory speeches, IN a language not
vet ineligible to me- were exchanged, after which
the guests proceeded in procession to the Bourse,
Exchange where sumptuous Dinner 1or ouO
was smoking.
The Illumination, in all the squares and pubic
streets, was very brilliant, and the River was en-
Iivened by display of Fire works and a large
number of Barges and Gondolas moving about
with Bands of Music, Varlegated Lamps, Torch
es, &c.
The Ball was given at the Theatre, which was
prettily ornamented, but with less expense than
has frequently been seen at the Park Theatre
The dancing commenced at eleven, and was con-
tnued, rather langudly, till one, when supper was
announced The ladies were dressed naturally,
and therefore elegantly. admire the FLEMISH
costume. Even their market-women, batmg the
clumsy wooden shoes they walk IN, are neatly
dressed.
The completion of this Railway is very justly
reparded as an important event to Belgium. 1t
promises to aid in an essential degree, the com
mercial and manufacturing interests of the Ma
ton. And it will attract all, OR nearly all, the
visitors to the Rhine, to Germany and to Italy,
either when they go or when they return. What
until recently was the work of ten days or fort
night may now be accomplished in twenty-five
hours. You may leave London in the morning
and reach Dover by Railway in four hours, go
over to Ostcnd by the steamer in eight hours, and
be at Cologne, upon the Rhine, by Railway IN
ten hours more.
Belgium is crossed, on every direction, by Rail
WAYS, which are well made and well managed.-
There are Railroads to all her principal towns
have visited Antwerp, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent,
Malines, Ostend Valenciennes, &c. upon sub
stantially constructed Railways, all of which are
Government enterprises. The fares upon the
Relgic Railways ought to shame England out of
her exorbitant demands. | paid but 8 francs and
rs centimes Qess than two dollars) in the first
class cars from Antwerp to Ostend, 50 miles,
For the same distance upon an English Railway
you are charged more than treble that amount.
have more to say of Belglum-but not at this
writing. In haste.