ROUTE 55. PARIS TO BRUSSELS. 197 miles; 1st class, 34.00 francs; 2nd, 25.50 francs. (For the journey from Paris to Maubeuge (142 miles), see Route 56). ROM Maubeuge we proceed to Feignies, the French frontier, and thence at once to QUEVY, two miles further, where is the Belgian Custom House. There is a delay here of about 20 minutes. The next stop is at MONS (136 miles). This is the chief city of the Province of Hainault, and was formerly a fortress of the first class, which has sustained many sieges, but is now dismantled, although its fortifications were rebuilt and considerably extended in 1815. The church of St. Waudru was built in 1460, upon the site of one much more ancient; but the tower and spire, which were designed to exceed in height that of Antwerp, were never completed. It con tains some interesting pictures, amongst which are the Elevation of the Cross," and the "Crucifixion," attributed to David Teniers the elder; the "Exaltation of St. Francis de Paul," by Theodore van Thulden; and the "Flight into Egypt," by Poussin; besides several altars and basreliefs worthy of inspection. The Hôtel-de-Ville and the Belfry are the only other noticeable buildings. Mons has no manufactures, but there are a great number of collieries around it. We presently reach BRAINE LE COMTE (167 miles), which is said to derive its name from Brennus, the renowned leader of the Gauls, in their victorious invasion of Rome. After leaving this station, the express makes no stop until its arrival at BRUSSELS (197 miles). Hotels: Belle Vue, de Flandre, de l'Europe. It is often called "Paris in miniature,' "and on account of its greater cheapness, and pleasant situation, is preferred by many to the larger city. It grew up around a small chapel built by St. Gery, one of the first apostles of Christianity in these regions, and increased rapidly when Charles of France, Duke of Lower Lorraine, about the year 980, made his residence, and brought here the body of Ste. Gudule, grand-daughter of Pepin of Landen, who was made, with St. Michel, a patron saint of the city, and to whom the Cathedral is dedicated. Under the princes of the House of Burgundy, who made it their chief residence until it passed, in marriage with their heiress, to the crown of Spain, it received its greatest adornments. Its subsequent history is identified with that of the whole country. A fine panoramic view of the town and neighbourhood may be obtained from the Colonne du Congrès, in the Rue Royale, erected to commemorate the declaration of Belgian Independence, and the election of Leopold I. as king. Of the public buildings, not only the most venerable, but the most imposing in appearance, is the CATHEDRAL. The present building was commenced by Henry I., Duke of Brabant, about 1226, but was not finished until the 15th century, which accounts for the incongruity of some of its architectural details. The most ancient portion is the choir. So numerous are the memorials of its benefactors, amongst whose names will |