laid out with shaded walks, and surrounded by the palaces, private
houses, and public offices; but in the lower part, the streets are
narrow and crowded, though the market-place is very beautiful. There
are twenty superb fountains in the city, ornamented with sculpture.
The Belgians delight in music, and they hold musical festivals every
year. In the Horticultural Gardens at Ghent, during summer, there are
several concerts performed in the open air; and even among the
labouring people, the songs and pieces of music sung together by
groups of peasants and working people are often delightful to hear;
for in Belgium, as in Holland, Prussia, and over a great part of
Germany, even the poorest children are freely taught to sing in
harmony at school. There are several railways in Belgium, which is a
very great convenience to travellers. The climate is good; and, in
winter, snow does not fall deeply.

Bavaria is in Germany also, and is celebrated for its manufactures of
iron, glass, paper, hardware, clocks, linen, woollen, and fire-arms.
The people are industrious and careful, excepting in smoking tobacco,
of which they are very wasteful. Industry is encouraged; and several
schools have been established for teaching young men agriculture and
gardening, with the usual branches of education.

[Illustration]

We must not forget to see what has come from America. Our Great
Exhibition has been almost as much talked of there, as it has been at
home, and an immense number of contributions has been sent from that
country. Machinery, sculptures, stuffs, carriages, minerals, boots and
shoes, iron-work, and wines, have been dispatched over to the
Exhibition.