"Brussels has long been celebrated for its manufactures of lace and carpets; but while it still retains its prestige in the former, it has been outdone in the latter. The finest and most valuable lace is made here and in some of the neighboring cities, and is literally worth its weight in gold. The most expensive kind costs two hundred francs (or forty dollars) a yard."
Mr. Mapps finished his remarks for the present, and the ships' company returned to the carriages, and were driven to the Place des Martyrs, where there is a large monument erected to the memory of three hundred Belgians, who fell in the Revolution of 1830, which made Belgium an independent kingdom. From this point they passed into the broad Boulevards to the Botanical Gardens, which, however, they did not enter, but continued up the hill to the Park, a large enclosure, beautifully laid out, and ornamented with statues. In one corner of it is the Théâtre du Parc, while in the square which surrounds it are located the king's palace, the palace of the Prince of Orange, the Chamber of Representatives, and other public buildings. The students visited the king's palace;—but his majesty usually resides at Laeken, and the establishment represents royalty on a small scale—and the Chamber of Representatives, in which the two branches of the Belgian legislature convene. In the latter, a woman showed them the Chambers, pointing out some fine pictures, including portraits of the king and queen, and the Battle of Waterloo, explaining everything in French.
"Where shall I find the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Stoute?" asked Professor Hamblin, nervous and excited at the near prospect of standing face to face before the great man of Belgium, and of being complimented upon his great educational works.
"I don't know; but his office must be somewhere in this vicinity," replied the fat professor, laughing at the excitement of his associate.
One of the officials in charge of the party volunteered to conduct them to the apartment of the distinguished revolutionist.
"You must come with me, Mr. Stoute," said the professor of Greek. "If it turns out that Mr. Rogier don't speak English, I should be in an unfortunate dilemma."
"I will go with you with pleasure," laughed Mr. Stoute, who was rather desirous of witnessing the interview.
They were conducted to the apartments of the distinguished minister, and formally and ceremoniously ushered into his presence. He bowed, and regarded his visitors with cool indifference.
"Whom have I the honor to address?" asked the minister, in good English, when Mr. Hamblin had made his best bow.
"I am Professor Hamblin, from the United States, at your service," replied the learned gentleman, who seemed to believe that this announcement would bring the Belgian statesman to his feet, if not to his arms—the professor's.