mpany, and of amusement, which rendered Brussels one of
the most delightful winter residences on the Continent: but this has now
all passed away. The court of Leopold, in consequence of the radical
party having the entire sway, is but a shadow, as nearly all the Belgian
nobility have retired from it. The few who reside in town will not
visit at the palace, and live in seclusion, receiving no company, and
spending no money; the majority, however, have either removed from
Brussels to their country seats, or have left the kingdom to spend their
revenue amongst foreigners.

At present there are but few English here, it being no longer the scene
of gaiety, and there are other reasons which gradually decrease the
number. The fact is, that Brussels is not a very cheap residence. The
duties on every thing are now enormous, and the shop-keepers prey upon
the English as much as they can, having avowedly two prices, one for
them and the other for the Belgians. There are very few amusements, and
the people, since the revolution, are rude and bearish, imagining that
by incivility they prove their liberty and independence. The other
towns of Belgium are very dull and very cheap--Brussels is very dull and
very dear. In another point, Brussels presents a contradiction to all
the other capitals of Europe, in which you generally find the most
polished manners, and the greatest beauty in the female sex,
concentrated. At Brussels it is directly the reverse--the men are
uncivil and the women plain: whereas in the Belgian provinces you will
meet with civility and respect, and at Antwerp, Ostend, and most other
provincial towns, fall in with many fine countenances, reminding you of
the Spanish blood which has been for centuries mingled with that of the
Low Provinces.

Nevertheless there are many advantages in Brussels: the communication
with England is so rapid, and its situation so central, that it may be
considered as the point from which travellers diverge on their various
routes.

About the end of May the arrivals and departures from Brussels are
constant; this stream continues to pour through the city for three
months, after which, as the Belgians do not mix with the foreign
residents, the latter are left entirely to their own resources for
amusement. But the greatest objection to Brussels is, that the English
have brought with them the _English feeling_. I hardly know how else to
term it, but it certainly is a feeling pecul