s exceedingly plain and unpretending for a royal
residence. It was originally composed of two wings, through which a
street ran its course; but they are now united by a central building,
with a handsome portico, having for its support six Corinthian pillars.
The edifice is about three hundred and ninety feet in length; and, while
the front is on the Park, the rear opens on an extensive garden. At the
opposite side of the Park is the Chamber of Representatives. In the
Park, and near to the Palace, is the prettiest glen and bit of miniature
wood I know of.

We found our accomplished representative, the Hon. Mr. Bayard, kind and
attentive. He lives in a charming part of the city; and his position
must be a pleasant one, having good society in the place, and near to
Paris.

Yours affectionately,

J.O.C.

Letter 32.

BRUSSELS.

DEAR CHARLEY:--

I like this city very much--it is so clean. The buildings in the upper
part of the town are new, and in pleasant contrast to the lower portion,
which looks so very old. I think, from walking about a great deal, that
there must be many English people here; for they carry their country in
their dress and manner. We spent a morning at the various shops, and
principally at the lace and print stores. We purchased some very
beautiful engravings, lithographs, and illustrated works, which will
remind us of our pleasant days in Brussels, and which I hope may amuse
our friends. The lacework executed here is uncommonly rich, and, you
know, is very famous; but, I am sorry to say, also very expensive. A
person may soon get rid of large amounts of money here. We made some
purchases for the ladies at home; but no doubt, if they had been with
us, the bills would have been heavier than they were.

The way we manage for getting money while we are travelling is by a
circular letter from Baring & Brothers. On this we are introduced to
houses in the great cities through which our route lies, and the letter
states our credit at London; then from these houses we obtain what we
need, and have each house indorse the amount; so that, as we go from
place to place, our financial position in London still appears. In
Brussels we found the banker, or, at least, his agent,--for whether the
banker or his clerk we did not know,--a perfect specimen of vulgarity
and rudeness. He was the most uncivil fellow that we have yet seen in
Europe. His most pleasant words were grunts, and his motions and
attit