Turnhout (Station).

Inn: Porte d'Or.

Turnhout is on the line from Antwerp and Contech, via Herenthals. Population, 13,000. A great place for leech catchers.

Herenthals (Station)—Hotel: De l'Empereur -the most convenient one for Gheel, in the centre of the Campine, a desolate moor. The chief occupation of the greater part of the inhabitants is taking care of the Lunatics sent here from all parts of Belgium. At Gheel there is a pretty church, dedicated to St. Dympna, an Irish lady and the daughter of an Irish king. The altar in Harenthals church, ornamented with elaborate carving, will repay a visit.

From Herenthals, a line turns to the south, past Vesterloo, where it crosses the Nethe; and 10 miles further, after crossing the Deynze, it reaches

Aerschot (Station), on the Antwerp and Maestrecht line, which has a church worth visiting.

Diest (Station), a little to the east (Hotel: Du Sauvage) has the old Church of St. Sulpice, with the neighbouring Churches of Mont Aigu and Avenboden Convent. Population, 8,000. Louvain is 12 miles from Arschot.

be visited, with the Trou de Han, a rocky cave and pass on the Lesse, to which the Homme runs. Near this is ROCHEFORT, remarkable as a ruined fortress, once a strong one, where Lafayette when taken prisoner was confined by the Austrians. Population, 1,300. A road leads to St. Hubert in the Forest of Ardennes. The line follows to

Poix (Station), in Belgian Luxembourg, from which it is an hour's run by omnibus to St. Hubert (Hotel de Luxembourg; population, 2,700), a small place in the Forest, with an old Abbey, and the Chapel dedicated to the patron saint of sportsmen.

Libramont (Station). Branch to Bastogne (Station), close to a small town (2,000 inhabitants), with an old church. Road to Liége, by Houffalize Castle.

Longlier (Station), near NEUFCHÂTEAU, a small town on a branch of the Semoy or Semois.

Habay (Station), on another branch of the Semoy. At Marbehan (Station), a branch goes off to Poncelle and Virton; whence another branch goes to Izel and Florenville, in the Forest of Ardennes, near the French frontier and Orval Abbey. Marbehan is followed by Fouches (Station) and

Arlon (Station). Inn: Hotel du Nord.

The small capital (6,800 inhabitants) of the Belgian part of the province of Luxembourg, and surmised to be the Orolaunum of the Romans. Rail to Longuyon, past Athus, where there is a connection with the Prince Henry line from

Assesse (Station), before reaching the village of Emftennes, on the left. Then Natoye (Station), and

Ciney (Station), on a branch of the Meuse, near a town of the Condrusi, in Roman times.

Aye (Station), the best for LA MANCHE, a pretty town, in the Famenne corn district.

Marloie (Station), where an approach from Liége, along the Valley of the Ourthe, falls in, and to which a line from Huy (p. 54) is open, via Modave.

Jemelle (Station), in the Valley of the Wamme, at its Junction with the Homme. Limestone and marble are quarried; and the Womme Grotto may

the new line (called the Meuse line) works round, via Signeulx, to Virton, for Florenville, &c., as

above.

At Sterpenich (Station) and Bettingen (Station) are the Belgian and Dutch douanes. The German language begins to be spoken.

LUXEMBOURG (Station).

Hotel: De Cologne, in the centre of the town, an old house, affording good accommodation.

The town, not less singularly than picturesquely situated, is the capital of the grand duchy of the same name, and contains 14,440 inhabitants. It belongs to the King of Holland, by the treaty of 1815, being given to that monarch in lieu of Nassau, to which he laid claim. The princely house to

which Luxembourg or Lützelburg gives a name has given five emperors to Germany, queens to France, and kings to several European states.

The most remarkable spot is the Gateway, in the lower town, a broken fragment, and sole surviving memorial of the palace of Peter Ernest, of Mansfeldt, the Spanish Stadtholder. The town is hemmed in by high rocks, so that, coming from the Brussels side, you do not get a glimpse of it until at its very portals. It is divided into the upper and lower towns, the former being connected only on the west with the neighbouring country. It takes a precipice-like descent 200 feet deep on the other sides. Its valley, which will well repay a walk, is enclosed by bold and rugged rocks of lofty dimensions, and watered by the stream of Alzette and Peltruschbach. The lower town is full of active industry, and has a great number of mills and dyeworks. A projecting rock, known as Le Bouc, divides it into two quarters, which communicate with the upper town by means of zig-zag streets and flights of steps. The draw-bridges of the picturesque fortifications of the vale of the Alzette strike one as being suspended in the air; and entering the town from the German side, their being cro sed will appear a matter altogether impossible. The fortifications were successively added to and strengthened by various towers until it was considered to be the strongest defence in Europe, after Gibraltar. According to a Decree emanating from a Conference of the Great Powers, recently (May, 1867) held in London, the Forts were dismantled, the whole of the Prussian garrison withdrawn, and the Duchy has become neutral territory under the control of the King of Holland. The Fosse is now filled up; a railway, on high arches, crosses the ravine; and new buildings are rising up outside at the best points of view.

On entering the gate of the city, the passport, if demanded, must be given up. A receipt or certificate (schein) is given, on the production of which, on the following day, at the polizei, the passport is returned. If, however, the traveller wishes to proceed on his journey the same day, his passport may also be obtained.

Rail to Diekirch and Spa, to Thionville and Treves, crossing the ravine by rail; good viaducts.

Our line to Trèves passes through a hilly country, to

Oetringen (Station), or Etrange, on the Sire. Then Rhoodt (Station) and Wecker (Station),

near

GREVENMACHERN, where the line arrives at the Moselle, and follows its left bank, through scenery of the most attractive beauty, until our arrival at Trèves.

Mertert (Station), between the Sire and Moselle. At Wasserbillig (Station) we cross the bridge spanning the Sire, and arrive at the Prussian frontier and custom-house, where the examination (of baggage, &c.), a severe but polite one, takes place. This is the nearest station for the Ige', a curious Roman monument, on the road, a few miles from Trèves. The village is a small one, and has, standing in its midst, a magnificent Roman structure, known as the monument of Igel. It is a quadrangular Obe'isk, 70 feet high, ornamented with inscriptions, carvings, engravings, &c., but so mutilated as to render the discovery of its origin or designation all but impossible. Many, indeed, have been the explanations given of it, as many, probably, as the number of antiquarians, who brought all their lore in endeavours to decipher its hieroglyphics. Some claim it as a commemoration of Constantine's marriage with Helena, others would ascribe its erection to record the birth of Caligula, and others consider it an allusion to the apotheosis of some imperial family. However, speculation seems to be merged in the plain fact, that it was erected by two brothers called Secundinus, for a twofold purpose; that is, to conmemorate a marriage of their sister, and be a mourning memorial for the memory of their deceased relatives. Its style of architecture wold denote it as belonging to the Constantine era. The Secundni, the family by whom it was erected, it would appear, were a noble and powerful family, who occupied several posts under the Roman Government, some of which are denoted by the heraldic devices on the monument.

Conz (Station), near a small village, deriving its name from Constantine, who had a summer palace here. Here the Saarbrück line, in the valley of the Sarre, joins

Trèves (Station), see Route 25,

ROUTE 14.

Mons to Manage, towards Waterloo and Brussels.

Mons (Station), as in Route 7.

The railway starts from the Government Station, where it joins the line from Brussels to the frontier of France.

Nimy (Station), near a small village containing a population of 2,000 souls. It is remarkable for an earthenware manufactory, that at one time employed three hundred men, which number has fallen below fifty since the introduction of English potteries. The ware made at Nimy is composed of clay and silex, and is susceptible of receiving the most graceful forms, and has the advantage, from its cheapness, of being within the reach of all classes of purchasers. Nimy, through which the high road from Mons to Brussels passes, is much frequented during the fine season, and is considered a pleasant residence.

Obourg (Station) is 1 league from Mons, at the confluence of the Haine and Aubechuelle, surrounded by pasture land and meadows, from which it derives its chief riches. It contains a population of 4,000 inhabitants. The woody line which bounds the horizon on the left, beyond Obourg, conceals the old Castle of Rocult, one of the most remarkable in Belgium. It is built on a hill, sloped by a magnificent park, spreading from grove to grove and lawn to lawn, with incomparable grace.

Havre (Station), near Harre-Ville, which is situated in the vicinity of Obourg, and possesses a Gothic castle, built in 1603. It is seen to the right of the railway, in the midst of a park. The wood of Havre and the castle of the Duke of Croy, are favourite country walks with the inhabitants of Mons.

Bracquegnies (Station). The place is a mere dependency of Strepy, a village of the canton of Rocuix, situated three leagues east of Mons. Near Bracquegnies the railway, after repeatedly passing the Haine, crosses it for the last time. From this place onwards the soil, less level, is cut by several hills, between which lie plains more or less confined. On the right and left of the road are numerous coal works, established on a coal soil connected with the basin of the east of Mons.

Bois-du-Luc (Station) touches the great coal works of that name, consisting of five pits, from which the coal is extracted by powerful steam engines. The coal works of LA PAIX, on the territory of the parish of St. Vaast forms the sixth intermediate station. These coal pits present a most picturesque aspect, situated in a woody hollow, penetrated in a graceful curve by a road, which disappears in the shade.

La Louvière (Station), the last stop between Mons and Manage, is the principal station on the line. It is one of the most important coal grants on the territory of St. Vaast. There the new banks have been established along the branch of the canal from Charleroi to Brussels. At this station the Branch Rail towards L'Olive and Bascoup begins. Between La Louvière and L'Olive there are five stations, Housseau, Beaume, La Verrière, St. Adolphe, and Mariemont. This branch touches the richest coal grants in the centre. The tourist who intends to judge of the peculiar aspect given to this district by the establishments of every description, in which industry is carried on in so large a scale, will visit this vast workshop, which employs in a varied and unceasing production, an innumerable quantity of intelligent and indefatigable labourers. The country besides offers more than one site worthy of attention. One view in particular, of the most charming character, is that which one discovers at Mariemont, where the magnificent residence of M. Warocque contrasts in the life and splendour of its modern luxury with the highly picturesque ruins of the residence of the Archdukes of Austria.

Leaving the La Louvière station, the trunk line crosses the branches of the Charleroi canal, on a fixed and a swing bridge. Numerous industrial establishments continue to appear on both sides of the railway, which passes through a well cultivated country, and some orchards, whose aspect relieves the monotony of the landscape. Finally, on the high road from Nivelles to Mons, the railway enters the station at Manage, which it shares in common with the government railway that joins it.

Manage (Station), a few years ago, was close to an insignificant hamlet, forming a part of the village of Leneffe. The place is now daily rising in

importance since the building of the Government and Namur and Liége railway stations there. Rail to Braine-le-Comte, Charleroi, and Nivelles, towards Brussels and Louvain.

ROUTE 16.

Charleroi to Morialmé and Givet. Between Charleroi and Marchiennes-au-Pont, this railway turns off from the Brussels and Namur line, and passes through a district rich in minerals, and enjoying an extensive trade in zinc and iron, coke and coal. It connects the valleys of the Sambre and Meuse a few miles above Givet, and likewise at Charleroi and Mézières. The distance is 25 English miles. Passing a few stations, of no importance we arrive at

Berzée (Station), where a branch railway leads by Thyle-Château to Laneffe (Station).

Fraire (Station).-Hence to Morialme (Station), and to Walcourt, Philippeville, Marienburg, and Givet, see Route 16.

in 1 hour.

Namur (Station), as in Route 8.

Though the Meuse above Namur is less visited, it is not less interestingly attractive there than below it. Escarpments of limestone, magnificent in their lofty outline and bold projecting heights, hem in the river as it flows gently along its pearly bed, the entire landscape forming a tout ensemble resembling the vales of Derbyshire. At Dinant the road crosses the river by a stone bridge, and at Yvoir, 4 miles below, we see the intermittent springs, rising and sinking regularly, every seven minutes. Passing several picturesque villas and chateaux we perceive, about 3 miles below Dinant, the ruins of the Castle of Poilvache, taken and destroyed, in 1429, by Bishop Jean de Heynsberg.

To the left, on the summit of a rock, half a mile or so below Dinant, is seen the ruined Castle of Bouvignes or Crèvecœur. A thrilling tale of female heroism is connected with the history of this castle, and tradition does not fail to perpetuate and hand it down to each succeeding generation. The French, under the Duke de Nevers, besieged

Good, with an army of 30,000 men. On being summoned to surrender, they hung the messengers sent with the terms of capitulation, which so enraged the duke that he, on the town being forced to surrender, gave it up to pillage for three days, and then burned it to the ground, ordering eight hundred of the inhabitants, bound two and two, to be thrown into the Meuse. The town was rebuilt by his son, Charles the Bold, but was again pillaged and sacked, in 1554, by the French, under the Duke de Nevers, who, history tells us, was provoked to this cruel act by the message of the townspeople to his summons to surrender. They replied that if the King of France and the Duke fell into their hands they would roast their hearts and livers for breakfast. The treaty of Ryswick gave Dinant to the Prince-Bishop. Attacked and taken during the first French revolution, it became the chief town of a French department, and so remained until 1813, when it was retaken by the allies, and definitely joined to the royalty of the Netherlands, together with the ancient district of Liége.

The church of Notre Dame is a massive structure, of a cruciform shape, built in the Gothic

ROUTE 17.

and is only remarkable for the style of its architecture and a tower 210 feet high.

Excursions from Dinant to the Grotto of Hanssur-Lesse, Castle of Montaigle, Château de Wab. zins, and to Châteaux. a group of hovels.

Above Dinant the line leads us through a species of natural portal, abruptly terminated by a wall of rock shot out from the precipitous cliffs on the left, and on the right by the Roche à Bayard, an isolated mass of rock; close by here quarries of black marble are to be found; also immediately above is the pretty little town of ANSEREMMЕ. The valley is very picturesque, and well deserves to be explored. Lesse falls into the Meuse.

At this spot, the

ascend, and at 3 Château of Freyer,

The road now begins to miles above Dinant is the situated at the base of luxuriantly-clothed hills, on the left bank of the river. It is a country seat of the Duchess of Beaufort-Fontin, and has within its grounds a beautiful grotto. Opposite here the scenery is very picturesque. Forms and outlines of the most singular caste and character are shadowed forth by the broken masses of limestone, rising like so many giants out of the Meuse. As far as Flamignoul the scenery partakes of quite a romantic aspect. Passing by Heer we are attracted by a red marble quarry, and as we approach the top of the hill our road is enlivened by chaste and beautiful scenery, until we ascend the top, from which we have a magnificent view of Givet on French territory. The Stations of Hastière and Agimont are passed; then comes Givet (Station).

Inns:-Le Cygne; Le Mont d'Or.

A small but prettily situated town, on the right bank of the Meuse, opposite Charlemont, with which it is connected by a bridge. Here is the French douane. Both places belong to France. Givet has a population of about 4,000, and is a fortress. The fortifications of Charlemont stand on the left bank, on a rock of limestone. There is a statue to Mehul, the composer. Rail to Mézières, Marienburg, Morialmé, Charleroi, &c.

Aix-la-Chapelle, and Cologne.

Leaving Landen (Station)-Route 18 -the railroad passes Attenhoven, a commune of 700 inhabi tants, and soon after leaves the province of Liére, and enters that of Limburg, and shortly arrives at

Velm (Station), in a commune of Limburg in the district of Hasselt, crossed by a Roman causeway.

St. Trond (Station), near the chief place of a canton of the district of Hasselt, in the province of Limburg, situated upon the Cicindria. There are eleven Churches, the best situated in a vast square; in which is likewise a Town Hall, worthy of notice. The manufacture of lace is the p incipal occupation of the inhabitants. Population, 12,000.

Cortenbosch (Station) and Alken (Station), followed by

Hasselt (Station). Hotel: De Limbourg. Capital of Belgian Limburg. Population, 9,900. Here the Belgians were defeated, August, 1831. Its two good churches are worth visiting. A rail to Utrecht and Amsterdam via Eindhoven, Boxtel, and Bois-le-Duc. Past Munsterbilsen (Station) to Maestricht (Station), in Holland. Population,

28,100.

Hotels: Du Casque; Du Levrier (Greyhound). The capital of Dutch Limburg, on the Meuse, Maas, or Maes, from which, and the old Roman ferry, or trajectum, it derives its name. It has a strong fortress, and a six-arch bridge to the suburb of Wyck. The Town Hall, in the Market Place, is a handsome building. The church of St. Gervais is a fine edifice with 5 towers and a splendid portal; the square in which this church stands was the spot where William de la Marck was beheaded, in 1485. The most remarkable things near Maestricht, are the subterranean Quarries, under the hill called the Pietersberg; they wind in and out for 10 to 12 miles; and can only be safely visited with an experienced guide.

For Meerssen, Faquemont, &c., to Aix-laChapelle (Station), see Route 18,