Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-10-24
WAITS from Abroad-No. IL. :.

Son'uehI' Inc new part Is built upon
the apex OF a high hill, the streets raai-
atlng from 1t In different directions with
steep descent The buildings here are
imposing and handsome. An air OF
freshness pervades the whole. But as
you descend into the older portion OF the
city, the contrast is very striking. The
square upon which the Hotel de Vile is
situated Is not excelled by any l am
familiar with. That edlfice is one OF the
nnest specimens OF architecture l now
remember. A purer specimen of the
Gothic is rarely TO be seen in building
appropriated to other than religious
purposes. 1t dates back 10 the first
part OF the nineteenth century, and in
harmony with it the other sides of the
square are nearly as attractive, in the
peculiar old houses OF curious STYLE,
having been built and occupied for Of
hces OF the magistrates of olden times,
and the residences OF the burghers. The
square is the market-place for the sale of
vegetables, fruits and flowers. Formerly
the knights of the tournament met in
conflict within it's area. Other old quar-
tiers Of the city are interesting, from the
antiquity and style of the houses. To
the historian there are many places and
buildings Of historical interest and re-
nown-as the church of St. Gudule,
Prison des Petit Carmes, Porte de Hal,
&c. The Park, handsome enclosure of
walks, trees and shrubbery, and inter-
esting as the place of the principal con-
hict in the revolution of 1880, the kings
palace, Chamber OF Deputies, and all of
the principal hotels, and in the upper
town. Brussels has long had celebrity
for the manufactures Of lace. In pre-
vious visit, few years since, visited
the lace workroOms. There was then
no extensive manufactures (f any now,
but the lace was wroughtin small rooms
Of the dealers, a dozen girls, perhaps,
working together. 1t was q severe test
to the better emotions of the mind to
witness this useless and extravagant
manufacture, and risking all mawkish-
ness Of sensibility, would simply ask
one OF the many thousands of the other
sex, who consider it necessity of ward
robe and toilet, to visit these rooms and
witness the operation. Enter this place
Of severest task. Observe the peculiar
light from its half.obscured windows.
Look at the lace makers, as they in
ten sely concentrate all the powers Of
vision upon small hole in a piece of
thick blue paper, underneath which the
gossamer-like fabric is placed, and
through which it is worked with the
finest needles and most delicate and alb.
sorbiDg skill. If larger surface of
threads was exposed, the sight would
become bewildered, and the brain reel
with intensity OF concentration and ef-
fort. But by reducing this surface to
the smallest available capacity, covering
the rest OF the fabric with this dark
paper, the eye is enabled, in the strong
contrast Of color, TO follow its course, |
with less OF pain and more Of success. |
Some idea may be formed Of the nature |
OF this occupation when it is known |
that pound of the fax fibre, when pre-
pared for working costs from three to |
four hundred francs $3.50 to 500, and is
literally worth its weight in gold.
When manufactured the finest qualities
are worth two hundred francs (s40) per
yard; ordinary qualities from ten to
we've francs. The thread IS as fine as
spiders web, and is spun in rooms
learly darkened. This also requires the
most delicate manipulatiOns and persist
mt effort. What the effect of this kind
II labor must be, not only upon the gen.
raj health, but especially upon the eye
light, l refer to those who demand its
production. The girls must become, in
course Of time, partially, if not wholly.
hind. Their pay, as that of all female
abor upon the continent, is small. Shall
follow NV my narration by an appeal
or sympathy, relief and release for them
rom this task of severity uselessness
nd extravaganza l know I am an
ncompromising advocate for utility,
ut not so thoroughly as to be regard.
ess Of the beautiful in nature and art
at may 1 ask for pity for the lace. work
RS The lace of Malines (Mechlin) is
not as fine as that of Brussels, and
less difficult Of manufac-
Ire. 1t is source Of congratulation,
owever, that its production has been
lmost suspended, but very few persons,
ompsratively, at the present time, being
1gaged in making it. Brussels is
usy, bustling, lively place, a kind o:
Ut Paris in its activity. Some OF the
Top windows would adorn the Partisan
oulevards, Palais Royal, &c. French is
lie language OF shopping and converse
on among the better classes OF citizens
lemish is still spoken by Others. The
opulation is I'm the city proper about
lie hundred and eighty thousand, and .
GLIDING the suburbs, nearly three hmm. ,