The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-09

more. We grleve to say our faith was not
even as grain of mustard seed when told
that the shrine contained the skulls of
the three Magi. 1t stood however the
test, when assured that where we walked
about "St. Ursula's church, eleven
thousand virgins lost their lives in bar
barous times, and all their bones were
used to fresco walls and ceilings; but
when the priest declared the broken YES
sci which we saw, was the identical one
used at the marriage feast in Cana of
Galilee, then our faith vanished as chaff
blown before the wind.
We have a lurking consciousness, as we
near the completion of our tour, that we
have enjoyed each different country In
turn, with much the same zest that one
of Mrs. Barbauld's old time heroines
reveled in the seasons. That impression
able young person walked forth with her
mother when Earth renews its youth, and
budding leaf and running brook make
her declare she loves the springtime best;
but soon the song of birds and blossom
ing of flowers transport her with delight,
and she is positive no season equals sum-
mer. Then come the nuts and ripened
fruits of all and she is sure these months
exceed them all; till skating, sleighing
and the joys of Christmas make it plain
that winter reigns triumphant in her
heart And SO it is with us, we find it
difficult to choose. for each in turn seems
best; and yet perhaps for all in all, the
most enjoyable portion of our European
trip has been the time we spent in Ger
many, when every day brought fresh de-
lights, and each new place seemed. more
alluring than the last.
The first intimation we received that
summer and our days were waning, was
on the Rhine; the next came while we
were covering the distance from Cologne
to Brussels. You will certainly arrive
by seven O'Clock" the willy ticket seller
told us, ignoring the hours difference in
time, which when we reached the Belgian
frontier compelled US to put back our
hour hand just go minutes Darkness
was all about us as we alighted from the
train, and we felt pang assail our
hearts, for well we knew that shortened
daylight meant an ended holiday. We
found Brussels even more wide awake
and bustling than is its usual habit.
owing to the exposition to which we gave
our forenoon. The grounds were pleas
| ing, and when lighted by electric lights
| the many colored globes made the eject
| most brilliant. The exhibition seemed
rather ordinary, after the White City's
dazzling array. We found greater salts
faction and enjoyment in driving about
the broad tree lined avenues of this "Iittle
Paris, and looking at the Hotel de
VIE, and stupendous Palais du Justice,
| "htOa VIZ Soulu VIGIL USllSVS Inc laTgeSU
building in the world. While gazing at
It's imposing pillars we noticed large
crowd collecting, and soon mounted
| cnvalcade Of soldiers took position and
our old friend the King of Siam. APP
peared upon the scene. Although the
recognition was not mutual, we bore no
! malice, but welcomed him as cordially rs
did the native Belgians. AS we were
| leisurly following the thropg, we passed
lying in the street, the stiff and motion
less form of one of Brussels faithful SER
wants. Day after day he'd carried heavy
burdens, and when the load became too
great his strength failed and he died in
harness. ''Only dog someone near us
scornfully exclaimed. but dogs, in Brus-
sells, command not only our respect but
pity. What patient daily workers there
we sawl whose backs seemed seldom
| fitted to their burden. Once when we
| noticed weary animal dragging too
heavily Weighted cart, agd the driver a
| lusty boy of fourteen climbed ON top, we
burned with indignation, and it was
with difficulty we restrained ourselves
from removing the unfeeling master.