Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-08-30
BELGIUM LETTER.


like to remain longer, in the city of Brus-
sells. 1t has been called miniature Paris,
and in the number and magnifceaee of its
public ediiees, parks and monuments, as
well as in the breadth, extent and cieanli-
ness of its bOulevsrls it has a strong re-
semblenee to q smaller edition OF the
French capital. The language spoken by
the higher classes is French, but the no.
menclature Of the streets is not much Ike
that of Paris. The hotel at %hich l am
stopping is on the Rue des DOuze APotreS,
which in plain English is the street of the
dozen Apostles. There Is another street
having the name of The street OF Good
Herbs for Soup. Belgium has not long
list of battles and military heroes like
France, so she is compelled to use COMMON
names tor the streets Of her capital. In
Paris nearly every rue, avenue and beule-
ward suggests history or assists to per
petuste a fame, as the Avenue Wagram.
the Boulevard Malesherbes, the Rue Vol
taire. / said the French language WAS
spoken in Belgium but it is very different
French from that spoken in Paris. The
working classes speak French patOiS. but
their yenracular seems to lie Flemish.
Tourists do not usually remain at BRUSSELS
much longer than may be necessary to
drive over the city, make an excursion to
the field of Waterloo, and buy some of the
famous BRUSSELS lace; but there is much
here thai will repay a longer and more
careful study. Some of the most renown-
ed paintings in the world are on the walls
of the BRUSSELS galleries, and the works Of
the great masters are only less numerous
here than in the gallery of the Louvre.
But it is not my intention to write about
the galleries, monuments and architecture
of this city. There is more interesting
subject: DOgsl Here have learned the
meaning of the expression ''to work like a
dog" The canine species is here used for
the purposes Of draft to an extent that
have never heard of elsewhere. They are
used in this way 10 limited extent in
Switzerland and to greater in Frankfort
and Cologne, but in BRUSSELS they are a
very important factor in the economy of
transportation. It's strange that more
has not been written on the subject, and
that since they prove Sc capable they are
not used for light draft in other countries.
The loads they draw are greater than would
besuppOsed from the weight of the ami
maI-greater, I am sure, in proportion to
the weight than those drawn by horses or
mules; but they are usually employed only
as auxillaries-one dog being harnessed
under q cart the shafts of which are held
and guided by the owner. The axle of the
cart is arehed in the middle in order ia
enable the animal to stand erect. Har-
messed with a simple round padded leather
collar, pair of traces. and back band,
the assistance he gives his master, who does
little more, except on ascending ground,
than guide the cart, is very great. Usually
not more than one dog is attached to cart,
but I have seen as many as three, and the
Amerean Consul told me that he had seen
six and eight to one wagon, driven in from
the country loaded with wood, with the
driver on top. In BRUSSELS there are many
shops for the manufacture and sale of dog
harness, and in them you may buy plain
set or one ornamented with polished brass
There is a dog market held every Sunday
in the city, and here every variety of dog
is bought and sold--the buyers and seller:
being usually market and milk women.
was particular to inquire of the American
Consul in relation to the species of dog pre-
ferred, but it seems that they have no par
tieular breed, and that no systematic effor
has been made to improve the breed.
observed that the dogs in most common
use were ours OF medium size and Of al
colors. They seem to be very enthusiastic
pullers, moving at the speed of a hrisl
walk for man, and they never balk. bul
the moment the wagon stops the dog lie
down, he Is always tired, or has been taught
the wisdom of conserving his strength.
To all appearances the dogs of Brussels
lead but dogs life, and all of them hav'
dropping tails and detected hang-dog air
but how much better it is for them, fo
their country, and for their posterity, t.
be engaged in some respectable employ
ment, earning an honest livelihood than Y
be killing sheep. gnawing bones, bsyinl
the moon, or rushing about the streets will
tin pan to their tails as is the custom o
too many of our free American dogs.
In Paris the white wOolly spaniel is in
despensable to q fine lady's toilet. The fsi
Parsienne, whether she be Of the beau
monde or demimonde. must have her dog
and she leads him by small chain wheI
she promensdes or takes him in her car
riage when she drives. She would n,
J more omit the little beast than she Wonl,
forget her boots. There are dog BARRIERS il
Paris who earn livelihood by trimming
these little pets. The style for dogs thi
season is to leave a girdle of hair aroun'
the body and around each leg above tn
: knee. G. A. 8.