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BRUSSELS IN 1829.


For the education of youth of both sexes, Brussels is one of the best
stations on the continent, and is a good temporary residence for
Englishmen whose means are limited. The country is plentiful, and
consequently every article of living moderate. It is near England, the
government is mild, and there is no restraint in importing English
books, though their own press is any thing but free.

The population of Brussels is rated at nearly 100,000, of which
above 20,000 are paupers, supported by the government and voluntary
contributions. The population is rapidly increasing. The number of
foreigners in the winter of 1828 was between seven and eight thousand,
of which half the number were English. Many families settle for a
season, and take their flight south, or return home in June; but the
greatest number are stationary for the education of their children. An
English clergyman, formerly a teacher at Harrow, has an establishment
for boys, well conducted, and the expense does not exceed fifty guineas
a year. There are several seminaries for girls, also superintended by
Englishwomen, with French teachers. Masters in every department are
excellent, so that few places afford better schools for education.

The air in the upper part of the city is salubrious, and the climate,
perhaps, better on the whole than England; but the winters are sharper,
and the summers hotter; fogs are less frequent, and the spring generally
sets in a fortnight earlier than in any part of Great Britain.