_Gueux_!' This trivial incident proved to be one of the leading events
of the revolution which deprived Spain of the Low Countries; for it
kindled the enthusiasm of the people, and urged them on in the
redemption of their country. In Motley you will find a full history of
the 'Beggars.' Alva was so incensed at the turn of this affair, that he
levelled to the ground the building in which the confederates met.

"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
Theatre 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 revolut