Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-07-29
JOURNEYINGS ABROAD.
A Delightful Journey from Ostend
to Brussels.
Characteristics of the Country and
People EntertainipgIy Described
More or Historical Interest and
study-ReIIaious Customs.

Special Cores pondence to the ARGUS
BRUSSELS, July IA in going from
Ostend to Brussels one passes through
Burgess. Client and Antwerp. The coun>
try is low and perfectly fiat with houses
very numerous. the kingdom having more
people to the square mile than any coun-
try in the world. except China. Every
foot of land is under high state of cnl-
tivation fields of oats, rye, barley,
wheat, potatoes and vegetables in every
direction. The roads are few in number
aud winding, with endless rows of trees
on both sides, little foot paths being the
more ordinary means of communication.
The grain is fast ripening, much of il be :
ing already harvested, trees loaded down
with cherries, and pear trees heavy with
fruit. Everywhere one sees women work
ing in the fields, most of them. as we'll as
children. being without any head cover
ing. Little carts drawn by dogs every
where. and women trundling heavy
wheelbarrOws, often assisted by dogs who
seem very patient and we'll trained for
their work. In fact, women and dogs
seem TO do most of the work, the women.
children and men all wearing wooden
shoes; one wonders how they manage TO
keep them on their feet, especially the
children. who, both In country and city,
run about at play with apparent ease.
The houses are all of brick, house and
barn generally being under one roof, GER
tsinly convenient arrangement for both
parties-people and cattle. Most of the
houses are washed IN white with red tiled
roof.
Burgess is an ancient city and most pic
turesque. In its center stands the courts
with the famous "Belfry of Burgess" ring
ing out its sweet tones every quarter hour.
The cathedral of st. Savior is venerable in
both its interior and exterior, with many
pictures and shrines. tombs, etc. Like
all churches in Roman Catholic countries
some of the affairs are dedicated to vari-
oas saints, and famous miraculous cures,
and votive offerings of silver, brass and
wax are hung about the place, often in
form illustrating the character of the dis
eases, such as arms, legs. eyes, ears. etc. i.
many of them representing scrofulous
sores, etc, of which the pious votsry has
been relieved through the intercessions
of the saint. Candles of all sizes are
burning before these shrines. as we'll as
before the affairs of the virgin, women
having little tables near the affairs with
candles for sale; some of the can
dies are of very small size. so that
even the poorest can afford an offer
ing il they desire. Photographs of the
church affairs, tombs, ETC., are also
for sale in the church. and attendants
seem tn have TO hesitation in selling,
even while mass is being said at the var
ious affairs. The ancient hospital of st.
John is most interesting in its antiquity,
and has many valuable paintings within
its walls. At Burgess also one visits the
chsppelle OF st. Song-"Holy Blood
where on every Friday mass is said, and
the blood of the Saviour is exposed for
the people to view. Some wonderful
pictures are to be found here, aud the
shrine where the blood is kept is rich be-
yond description in gold and precious
stones.
Antwerp is city of $50 900 inhabl
tsnts, and is full of interest, both for its
ecclesiastical and business aspects In the
cathedral are three of the great paintings
of Rubens, and the others are msgnlfi
cent both in size and splendor. A stran
ger to the ways of these people is struck
will mount affairs, and remove taberna-
Giles and ornaments in order to show one
picture or ststuary for the considera-
ton OF one franc. The hall of justice 10
Antwerp is full of interesting paintings
on walls and ceilings, illustrating the
history of Flanders both in peace and
var. The rooms are magnificent 10
carvings and paintings. and open to all
for a tri1e. The market on TUESDAYS
and Fridays is a scene of wonder-peas-
ants and dog wagons everywhere, great
heaps of vegetables on the pavement,
rich in color and beauty, cherries and
berries, milk buckets, and soft cheese in
endless confusion, while the snarling of
dogs and clatter of wooden shoes, and
incessant and rapid talking of men. wo-
men and children. almost make one fans
cy he IS in bedlam let loose. saw one
cart loaded high with crates of chickens
aud pigeons drawn by four dogs abreast
Poor dogsl They looked very unhappy.
but seemed patient. and no doubt they
were fed when they reached home. But
1t does make one sigh to see one poor,
lean small dog drawing heavy four
wheeled cart iilled with fsggots or fruit,
old clothes or milk, with their tongues
extended and tails dragging on the
ground.
Brussels is one of the finest cities in
Europe "a second Paris-wide boule>
wards extending all around the CITY;
trees on every side, its magnificent bois or
park OF thousands of acres, shops bril-
liant with goods, laces and jewelry,
clothing and confectionery. and above
all its hundreds of beer shops every
where. generally we'll filed with Gus,
toners, tables and chairs. not on
ly filling the sidewalk, but ex
tending far out into the streets.
The museum has the largest collection of
Rubens of any city, and abounds with pic
lures of rare value and interest. The
churches are numerous and most all
with beautiful affairs and all the usual
adornments OF churches of the Roman
falth-shrines and images, native offer
ings and candles, with virgins clothed in
costly garments and crowned with tiaras,
holding the Holy Child also crowned with
every gorgeous accessory.
The new Hall of Justice is the largest
building in the world and nothing could
be finer in style and stability The royal
palace stands opposite the ROYAL Pare
and is model of beauty and strength.
The Botanical gardens are among the
finest in Europe, open to all, and l saw
numerous young lads coming from the
instruction halls with their books, look
ing as happy as though study was
recreation to them, as surely it may
well be under such auspices. fancy the
common people work hard, but they seem
contented and happy. though the women
do look awfully old and worn. They all
women and children-go bareheaded,
and wooden shoes are very common in
Brussels. One of the boulevards has
long rows of merry go rounds" gor-