Cabinet-making is a source of employment to numerous skilful operatives. Brussels alone contains above 100, and many of their articles of furniture are exported to Germany, England, and America.

The only establishment for the manufacture of clocks is at Chenée, near Liege. The machinery is moved by steam. But all kinds of time-pieces are supplied chiefly from France and Switzerland; and with the view of promoting the home production of these useful instruments, the government annually awards premiums and medals for the most perfect specimens produced by native artists.

Mathematical instruments are made with great perfection, especially by MM. Themar and Sacré, of Brussels, whose reputation in this department of art has created a demand for their productions in Germany, Holland, and England.

Musical instruments, that is, pianos and wind instruments, are very skilfully manufactured at Brussels. The former are preferred to those of Germany, and the latter, which are issued from the establishment of M. Sax, who employs 100 workmen, have an European reputation for tone and elegant appearance.

Articles of gold and silver work, bronze, and lery, are for the most part imported from France. Metallurgy.- -The abundance of metals and combustibles in Belgium has occasioned the establishment of several extensive forges for the melting and manufacture of iron, copper, and tin. There are three principal groups of forges. 1. on the banks of the Meuse, extending from its entrance into Belgium to the limits of Namur and Liege: 2. between the Meuse and the Sambre; and, 3. at Charleroy. Besides these principal groups, there are numerous forges, foundries, and tinworks, along the banks of the Hoyoux, the Ourte, and its affluents.

Cutlery forms a considerable object of manufacturing industry in the province of Namur, occupying about 5,000 hands. Other establishments of this nature are in operation in Brussels, Ghent, Mons, Leuze, and Ath. Steel implements and edge tools are made in several localities, but the main supply of the kingdom is from Germany and England. From the latter market, the annual number of clasp knives imported exceeds 40,000. Iron and copper utensils, agricultural implements, and saddlery, are manufactured throughout the kingdom. Carriage-building is well executed at Brussels, with respect to strength and cheapness, but elegance of design is very generally deficient.

Porcelain manufactories exist in Brabant, Hainault, Namur, and Luxemburg. At Sept Fontaires, in the last-named province, at Brussels, Andennes, and Tournay, are produced articles which, in delicacy and beauty, may vie with those of every foreign manufacture, excepting Sèvres.

The different kinds of glass, in plate and vessels, are made in large establishments at Namur, at Liege, at ValSt.-Lambert, where about 1,000 hands are employed, and at Charleroy, where there are 44 furnaces, employing from jewel-1,800 to 2,000 hands, and producing annually a value of nearly 5,000,000 francs. Four fifths of the produce are exported to Germany, Holland, North and South America, and other countries. Crystal is manufactured at the glass-houses of Namur and Val-St.-Lambert, and is beautifully cut and fashioned in Brussels. Casting of glass employs about 600 hands, at Oignie, in the province of Namur. The same district contains several factories for the preparation of white lead; and at Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Mechlin, Courtray, and some other cities, are establishments for the preparation of the various chemical products required for the useful arts and manufactures. Candles of tallow are manufactured chiefly in Antwerp and Hainault, and of wax at Ypres and Tournay. Lamps are made principally at Brussels and Liege, but they are now greatly superseded by the introduction of gas, which for some time has been used for lighting the streets and shops of all the large towns. Soap factories are numerous in Belgium, and increase continually. The soap of Tournay is not inferior to the finest soap of Marseilles. Alost, Ninove, Roulers, and other towns of Flanders, possess a great number of mills and presses for the preparation of all kinds of oil, which are partly exported to Germany and England.

In 1837, there were in the kingdom 23 coke furnaces, and 66 of charcoal, each of the former yielding from 3 to 5 times the produce of one of the latter. Since that period, the number of coke furnaces has probably been at least doubled, as 26 were then in preparation, of which 6 at Liege were to be of more enormous dimensions and power than any in Europe. The annual produce of the Belgic foundries is estimated at 150,000 tons, which is half that of France, and one fourth of the produce of England. The average price of iron during the 7 years from 1830 to 1836 was 416 francs per ton, first quality, and, second quality, 330 francs. The largest fron-works on the Continent are those of M. Cockerill, near Liege, where 16 steam-engines of 900 horse power are constantly in operation, and from 3,000 to 4,000 workmen are employed, at wages which average 3 francs per day, showing the employment of a capital of two or three millions of francs per annum. Copper, as well as iron is worked in this establishment, and not only massive materials for the engineer, and machines of the greatest power and dimensions are constructed, but various delicate and exact mechanical instruments. The enormous colossal lion which supports the triumphant pyramid on the battle-field of Waterloo was cast in the foundry of M. Cockerill. His numerous and various works extend above a mile along the banks of the Meuse, and occupy the site of the palace grounds of the prince prelate of Liege.

The royal cannon foundry at Liege is a magnificent assemblage of the requisite apparatus for manufacturing the largest pieces of artillery in iron and bronze. It consists of 2 large foundries, surrounded by 12 reverberating furnaces, 2 extensive forging factories, containing 15 fires; 5 steam-engines, &c. &c. Establishments for the construction of steam-engines are principally at Liege, Brussels, Charleroy, Tillemont, and Bruges. During the period from 1829 to 1835, the number of steam-engines constructed in the province of Liege alone was 261, of 5,400 horse power.

Nail-making is an important branch of metallurgy at Liege and Charleroy. In the latter place, about 5,500 hands are employed in this business throughout the winter. Liege is also the centre of a manufacture of fire-arms, which is universally renowned. About 50 factories of these articles are constantly active, and their produce is largely exported to America, Egypt, Turkey, Germany, Italy, and Spain. In the United States of America, the rifles and fowling-guns of Liege are preferred to those of Birmingham. From 25,000 to 30,000 guns are annually exported to Brazil alone. The principal kinds manufactured are,-1. single and double barrelled guns for sporting; 2. muskets for military use; 3. common guns for various purposes; 4. pistols, which, as well as the best description of guns, are made and finished with great care and skill. The number of guns of different kinds manufactured at Liege in 1836 was 256,979, and of pistols 92,400; total, 349,379. The value of these is estimated at nearly 7,000,000 francs. The produce of the gun-factories of Liege exceeds that of the whole of France, and in the number of articles it is superior to that of Birmingham.

In Belgium every circumstance apparently concurs for the successful culture of beet, and the extraction of sugar from its root; but, owing to some mismanagement, the labour and capital devoted to this undertaking have not invariably produced an adequate profit. However, about 50 establishments are in full activity, and their produce is highly appreciated for its superior qualities. Fifteen factories, in 1836, produced above 2,000,000 kilogrammes. There is a very extensive establishment for beet sugar at the village of Waterloo. The kingdom contains about 70 refineries of sugar, foreign and indigenous, producing 25,000,000 kilogrammes per annum. Half of the whole number are in the city of Ghent, which, in 1836, exported nearly 4,000,000 kilogrammes. Café chicorée is prepared principally in 20 manufactories at Roulers, in W. Flanders.

Salt refineries are numerous in the provinces of Antwerp, Hainault, and East Flanders. The best are in the cities of Antwerp and Ghent.

The breweries in different parts of the kingdom amount to nearly 2,800, besides 150 malt kilns. Beer is the common beverage of all classes; and the best is produced in Brussels, Louvain, Diest, and Haegaerde, in Brabant. Louvain alone has 40 breweries, and produces annually about 200,000 tons of white beer, bicrre blanche; a kind for which there is always a great demand.

In 1836, the whole number of distilleries for the extraction of alcohol from grain was 1,065. They abound most in the provinces of Antwerp, Hainault, and the two Flanders: and their produce, under the appellation of cau de vie, or gin, forms an important item in the export trade of the kingdom to every quarter of the globe. In order to encourage and facilitate improvement in manufactures and industrial pursuits, the government has instituted public exhibitions where only the products of the country and its inhabitants are admitted. The first was opened in Brussels, in 1835, when 2,727 objects were exhibited, and a distribution was made of numerous medals of gold, silver-gilt, silver, and bronze.

Patents. A very considerable part of the revenue of Belgium is derived from a tax on patents, no one being allowed to exercise any trade or profession without a patent, the price of which depends upon the amount of profit obtained. Reports of income are required from each individual engaged in business, and the government assessors exercise inquisitorial power in assigning the citizens to classes of different degrees. The number of patents granted by the government, in 1837, for new inventions, was 71; for improvements, 21; for importations, 37.

Since the establishment of Belgium as an independent I portion of the cotton yarn, cotton cloths, and tobacco, kingdom, a very rapid progress has been observable in almost every department of manufacturing and commercial industry. In proof of which it is alone sufficient to adduce the following record of the number of licences granted for the establishment of new factories, machinery, and other apparatus for carrying on each process of the industrial arts :

resources, and promote the prosperity, of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures. Its capital consists, 1st, of 50,000,000 florins (105,820,000 fr.), of which 20,000,000 are vested in real property, and 30,000,000 in 60,000 shares, each of 500 forins, at an interest of 5 per cent.; 2dly, of a reserved fund, formed of a third of the dividends, and which, in 1836, amounted to 20,000,000 francs.gular than those of England, and are infinitely better It issues notes to the amount of 40,000,000 francs, for sums of 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 francs; and its general operations consist of the discounting of commercial bills, receiving deposits, making loans and advances, and in various ways affording accommodation to facilitate commercial transactions. The administrative body is formed of a governor, who is nominated by the king, six directors, a secretary, and a treasurer.

The Bank of Belgium, at Brussels, was instituted by a royal decree of the 12th of Feb., 1835, with a charter for 25 years. Its capital is 20,000,000 francs, in 20,000 shares, each of 1,000 francs. The rate of interest is 5 per cent. It operates at once as a bank of deposits, of circulation, of discount, and of accommodation to the commercial classes similar to that afforded by the society just described. A director and four administrators are nominated by the king, and the accounts are annually audited by a general assembly of the holders of ten shares.

The amount of property insured against fire, in the year 1837, by 11 insurance companies of Belgium, was 1,786,832,222 francs; in addition to which, an amount, estimated at 200,000,000 francs, was insured by foreign companies.

Roads of the first class, paved or macadamised, and numerous others of secondary character, intersect the Belgic provinces in every direction. After England, Belgium, in fact, is the next country of Europe in which lines of road exist in the greatest number, and are kept in the best condition. They are broader and more remanaged than the roads of France: they are also capable of sustaining the greatest extremes and changes of weather, without undergoing any injury worthy of notice. The highways of the state, of the first class, have a width of 19 mètres 50 centimètres; those of the second class are made 13 mètres 60 centimètres in width, if they traverse woods and thickets, if not, 11 mètres 70 centimètres. Provincial roads have a width of 9 mètres 75 centimètres. In these dimensions, the lateral banks or ditches are not included. The whole surface occupied by the roads of Belgium is estimated at 70,000 hectares, or 210,000 English acres. Those of the first and second class are made and maintained by the state; the provincial roads are the affair of the provinces; and the smaller byways belong to the communes. It is calculated that, in Belgium, a league of road, or 3 m. English, costs in construction 150,000 francs. Besides several new state roads in course of execution, about 30 new provincial roads have been planned and undertaken; and a company has been formed for the opening of 300 m. of roads, railways, and canals, on the plain of the Campine.

Among the dependencies of the Société Générale, are the Society of Capitalists, with a capital of 50,000,000 francs; the Society of Commerce, capital 10,000,000; and the National Society, with a capital of 15,000,000 francs. The Bank of Belgium has formed a Society of United Belgium is the first state in Europe in which a general Shares, with a capital of 40,000,000 francs. Under the system of railways has been planned and executed by the same patronage was established, in 1835, the Bank of government at the public cost; and certainly it is an Liege, for 40 years: it has a fund of 4,000,000 francs, in honourable distinction to have given the first example of shares, each of 1,000 francs. In 1837, a great financial such a national and systematic provision of the means of society was founded, under the title of the Commercial rapid communication. The undertaking was first proBank of Antwerp; its term is for 25 years, and its jected in 1833, and the object proposed was to unite the capital 25,000,000 francs, in shares, each of 1,000 francs. principal commercial towns on one side with the sea, Numerous other institutions of this nature exist in dif- and on the other with the frontiers of France and ferent parts of the kingdom. The amount of capital Prussia. In this respect Belgium is most favourably sipossessed by anonymous societies authorised by the go-tuated for the experiment of a general system of railvernment since 1833 exceeds 300,000,000 francs. The roads. It is compact in form, of moderate extent, is conditions of success to these societies are that they con- surrounded on three of its sides by active commercial fine their competition to such industrial operations as the nations, and on the fourth by the sea, from which it is manufacture of the metals and other substances of in-separated only by a few hours' voyage from England. trinsic and permanent value. On the W. side are the two large and commodious ports of Antwerp and Ostend, and its E. frontier is distant only a few leagues from the Rhine, which affords a connection with the nations of central and S. Europe. It is therefore in possession of convenient markets for its productions, and of great facilities for an extensive transit trade. The physical nature of the country is also most favourable, being for the most part very flat, and requiring but few of those costly works of levelling, tunnelling, and embankment, which serve to increase so enormously the expense of similar undertakings in England. The government first employed skilful engineers to survey the kingdom, and to determine the main lines, with regard not only to the physical circumstances of the surface, but to the interests of the large towns and their various relations, internal and foreign. In May, 1834, a law was passed for the prosecution of the plan proposed, and the city of Mechlin was made the centre of the system, with four principal branches extending, N. to Antwerp; E. to Louvain, Liege, Verviers, and the frontiers of Prussia, to be continued by a private company to Cologne; S. through Brussels and the province of Hainault, to the French frontier near Valenciennes; and W. by Dendermond, Ghent, and Bruges, to Ostend. By adopting the lines that concentrate at Mechlin, a larger number of towns are passed than by taking Brussels for the central station, and the distance from Antwerp to the E. frontier is considerably less; but some regret has been expressed that Brussels, the metropolis of the kingdom, was not chosen as the centre of the system. The Belgian government merely requires that the undertaking should pay its own expenses,-that it should be neither a burden, nor a source of revenue. The expenses concist of the cost of maintenance and repairs, the payment of interest upon, and the gradual redemption of, the capital invested. For the last object, a profit of 5 per cent. per annum is expected upon the original outlay, beyond the current expenses. Besides, it may confidently be anticipated that the increase of commercial traffic throughout the kingdom will repay the outlay of the government by increasing the amount of its revenue. the railroads established by the government of Belgium have been formed for a double line of rails; but, except in partial instances, only one line is laid down; it being intended to add the other when required. A similar plan of commencing with a single line is generally adopted in the United States of America. The cost of construction in Belgium has varied from 5,000l. to 10,000 per mile, which is much below the rate of expense incurred in England and France. The Manchester and Liverpool line, and many others, cost about 40,000Z. per mile; the short line from London to Greenwich 200,000, a mile; and the estimated cost per mile of the lines pro

Weights and Measures. Belgium has adopted the weights and measures of the French metrical system; the fundamental principle of which is the measure of length. Its unity, the metre, is the ten-millionth part of a quadrant of the meridional circle of the earth." The length of the mètre is nearly an inch less than an English yard and half a quarter; that is, 3-280992 ft. The unit of superficial measure, the are, is a square, of which the side is 10 mètres. The unit of the measure of capacity, the litre, is a cube, of which the side is the tenth part of a mètre. The stère is a cubic mètre. The unit of the measure of weight is a centimètre cube of distilled water; that is, a cube of which the side is a hundredth part of a mètre. The itinerary measures are the decamètre, kilomètre, and myriamětre; that is, measures containing severally, 10, 1,000, and 10,000 mètres. Measures of length are the mètre, or lineal unity, the decimètre, centimètre, and millimètre; which severally represent the tenth, hundredth, and thousandth parts of a mètre. Land is measured by the hectare, containing 10,000 square mètres; the are, containing 100 square metres; and the centiare, which is 1 square metre. For liquid and dry measure, are used the litre, which, as already described, is a cube of which the side is the tenth part of a mètre; and the décalitre, hectolitre, and kilolitre-decimal multiples of the litre, or 10, 100, and 1,000 litres. The décalitre is a tenth part of the litre. For solid measure, are used the stère and décistère; that is, cubic mètre and its tenth part. For the measure of weight, are used the gramme, already explained; the décagramme, or 10 grammes; the kilogramme, or 1,000 grammes; and the quintal, or 100 kilogrammes. The décigramme is a tenth part of the gramme. It may be useful to add the correspondent value of a few of these measures with those of England, and for more elaborate explanations, a reference may be made to the Annuaire de l'Observatoire de Bruxelles, par M. Quetelet, 1838 and 1839.

Belgic. Mètre

Millimètre

Centimètre

Decimètre

English.
Belgic.
3.280 feet Hectare =
0-039 inch. Litre
0-393 inch.

3.937 inch.

6.213 mil.

Décalitre
Hectolitre
Gramme

=

English.

2.473 acres

1-760 pint =2.201 gal. 22:009 gal. Myriamètre = = 15-438 g. tr. Mètre carré = 1-196 sq.y. Kilogramme={ (2.680lbs. t. Are = 0.098 rood 2-205lbs.a. The ancient provincial measures which are still partially used, are too numerous for explanation,

All

In 1836, the total number of births in the towns was 32,644; in the country, 111,570. The number of marThe number of deaths, riages was 31,441; divorces 15. in the towns, was 25,855; and in the country, 75,379. The number of children found abandoned by their parents (enfans trouvés); the number of deaf and dumb; the blind; and the proportion of paupers (les indigents) to the whole population, in 1836, are shown in the following columns, with regard to each province :

1,900

4,117

14.8

8,207

Whole kingdom
The annual number of foundlings has continued nearly
the same since 1833. Of the 1,900 deaf and dumb, 1,493
were from birth, and 407 from accident; and 960 of the
blind were cases of military ophthalmia.

The following general observations express the results deduced from an examination of several statistical documents respecting the population of Belgium in 1836:The whole male population may be considered as consisting of two parts, equal in number, namely, those under and those above the age of 23. The same is true of the females, except that the point of division is the age of 25. Of the unmarried, male and female, the number under and over the age of puberty is equal. In the country population, the two sexes are very nearly equal in number; in the towns, there is a uniform excess of females. The proportion of the married to the whole population is as 1 to 2. The proportion of unmarried to married, in an equal number of each, is comparatively greatest among males in the country. The number of widows is double that of the widowers; and this excess is much larger in the town than in the country populations. In 100 houses in the country there are 106 families. In the towns there are 466 persons to 100 families, or something above 44 to each family; in the country, 503 persons to 100 families, or 5 to each family. The births to the whole population are, in the country, as 1 to 29.9; and in the towns, 1 to 27-7. The deaths to the whole population are, In the country, 1 to 443; and in the towns, 1 to 349. The total marriages to the total population are as 1 to 1349; the number divorced, as 1 to 282-84. The proportion of the population of towns to that of the country is as 1 to 3-22. The marriages in the towns are, to those in the country, as 31 to 100, or 1 to 3; which proportion is identical with that between the two kinds of population. The average proportion of births to marriages, in the whole population, is as 46 to 1; and of deaths to births, 1 to 148 in the country, and 1 to 1.26 in the towns. The excess of the numbers of births to the deaths is 42.980, or 333 per cent. The greatest number of births was in March, 14,583; the least number, in August, 10,993: the greatest number of deaths was in January, 10,186; the least number, in July, 7,291. The illegitimate births are to the legitimate as 1 to 12 in East Flanders, the richest province; and 1 to 33 in Luxemburg, the poorest province in the kingdom: the general average is 1 to 21. The medium duration of life in Belgium is 31 years. The probable duration of life, immediately after birth, is -males, 24 years in the country; 21 years in the towns: females, 27 years in the country; 28 years in the towns. At the age of 5 years, it is males, 51 years in the country; 48 years in the towns: females, 51 years in the towns; 48 years in the country. At 40 years of age, 27 for both sexes, in town and country: at 60, 12 to 13; and at 80, only 4. The number of paupers (les indigents) | constitute 14'8 per cent. or 1 in 7, of the whole population; and it is remarkable that in those provinces where industry and commercial enterprise have produced the greatest wealth and improvement, the proportion of paupers exceeds 21 per cent.; while in Luxemburg, the poorest province of the kingdom, it is only 07, or less than 1 per cent. The operative classes form three fourths of the whole population. The number of insane persons, of whom more than one half are paupers, are as 1 to 1,000 of the whole population; and maniacs, to the other classes of insane, as 1 to 5. Of 10 insane persons medi

cally treated, scarcely 1 is cured. The number of deaf and dumb is as 1 to 2,193. The number of blind 1 to 1,012. On an average in 1,000 born, 543 are vaccinated; 22 have the small-pox, of which 2 die.

The government census of the population of Belgium is conducted with the most exemplary attention to systematic method. All the useful points of inquiry are included, so that the results exhibit a most valuable assemblage of scientific data, which in satisfactory completeness and precision are not surpassed by similar documents of any other country. A particular of great importance in the calculations of life insurance - the ages of the living and dying, — which in many enumerations of the inhabitants of other countries has been omitted, is ascertained with great care in the population inquiries of Belgium.

Manners and Customs.-The Belgians have been successively subjected to the influence of so many different governments - French, Austrian, Spanish, Dutch that they consequently possess no distinctive and peculiar national character. The apathy and persevering industry of the Dutch is blended with the vivacity and self-assurance of the French, without proThe different producing an agreeable compound. vinces exhibit some variety of character and manners. On the borders of Holland the people are generally similar to the Dutch, and adopt their customs, amusements, and dress; but in the southern districts they differ but little from the French in appearance, habits, costume, and language. The Belgians have always displayed a passionate fondness for social liberty,—an impatience of control that embroiled them with all their different rulers, and involved them in ruinous disasters during many successive centuries. Writers of all ages agree in describing the Belgians as the most restless, unruly, tumult-loving mortals in existence; always treating their best rulers the worst, while the bad overawed them. In the history of no other country do we find such unbounded liberty with such an invincible disposition to abuse it. The Flemish burghers no sooner emancipated themselves from the despotism of their feudal lords, than jealousy of each other's power engaged them in frequent and fatal hostilities; so that "liberty," says Mr. Hallam, in his History of the Middle Ages, 'never wore a more unamiable countenance than among these burghers, who abused the power she gave them by cruelty and insolence." They confirmed every compact with ceremonious oaths, and then broke them one after another, always complaining of encroachments upon their liberties; and this characteristic deficiency of good faith appears to have been transmitted to the present descendants of the Belgians of the middle ages. Major Gordon, in his useful" Advice to Settlers in Belgium," has candidly put this failing on record, and the fact is reasserted by an able writer and admirer of the Belgians (in the London and Westminster Review for April 1839, p. 377.) who says that "a facility for making promises and breaking them runs through the Belgian people, in all the channels of business, wholesale or retail, of the bureau or in the workshop." The same author remarks that "this general want of veracity does not extend into the great national transactions, nor into the proceedings of diplomacy." The most obvious peculiarity by which the Belgians are distinguished is their devout observance of religious rites and ceremonies. Long and imposing processions of the priesthood in their sacerdotal dresses are frequently parading the streets of the principal towns. Every native salutes the consecrated host with the deepest reverence as it passes by, and it would be dangerous for the traveller to manifest, even by a gesture, the slightest disposition to ridicule. It is evident, indeed, in the whole conduct and customs of the Belgians, as described by writers of every party, that the higher classes are greatly influenced by bigotry, and the lower classes by superstition. In the rural districts the clergy are regarded with fanatical veneration, and they every where exercise, and endeavour to maintain, a powerful dominion over the great mass of workmen and peasants. The churches are all open at five or six o'clock every morning, when every good Catholic attends to repeat his prayers before entering upon the business or pleasure of the day, and the afternoon and evening of every Sunday are enlivened by the entertainments of tavern gardens, grounds for shooting with the crossbow, ball-rooms, theatres, and other public places of amusement. Another remarkable and very general trait in the Belgic character is a pertinacious adherence to long-established notions, habits, and customs, with an aversion to proposed improvements, however worthy of consideration and adoption. This, however, is more especially true of the rural population, for the middle classes of the towns are distinguished for a zealous spirit of enterprise, and extreme readiness to act upon every suggestion of advantage and additional facility, in the prosecution of industrial and commercial business; and upon this important and highly intelligent portion