sylvania. Containing one or two larger towns such
as Charleroi and Mons, it is sprinkled over with villages gathered near
the coal pits. Everywhere trolley lines are to be seen running from the
mines to supply the main railways and barge canals.

Formerly the people were of a rough, ignorant and poverty toiling type,
but of late years have greatly improved with the introduction of
organized labor and education. Previous bad conditions, however, have
left their mark in a stunted and physically degenerate type of
descendants from the mining population of those times. In contrast to
later comers they resemble a race of dwarfs. The men seldom exceed four
feet eight inches in height, the women and children appear bloodless and
emaciated.

The output of the Borinage coal field exceeds twenty million tons a
year. Its ungainly features of shafts, chimneys, and mounds of debris
are relieved in places by woodlands, an appearance of a hilly country is
presented where the pit mounds have been planted with fir trees. Apart
from its mining aspect, Mons is a city of historic importance. It
contains a Gothic cathedral and town hall of medieval architectural
note. It also, cherishes a special yearly fete of its own on Trinity
Sunday, when in the parade of the Limacon, or snail, the spectacle of
St. George and the Dragon is presented. With great pride the citizens
of Mons showed the British soldiers of occupation an ancient cannon,
claimed to have been used by their forefathers as an ally of the English
at Crecy.

Especially east of Mons, toward Binche, the British line ran through
this district. Several of the greatest European battles have been fought
in its vicinity--Ramilles, Malplaquet, Jemappe, and Ligny.

The night of Saturday, August 22, 1914, passed peacefully for the
British soldiers, still working on their trenches. But distant boom of
guns from the east continued to vibrate to them at intervals. Of its
portend they knew nothing. Doubtless as they plied the shovel they again
speculated over it, wondering and possibly regretting a chance of their
having been deprived of the anticipated battle.

Sunday morning, August 23, 1914, dawned brightly with no sign of the
enemy. In Mons and the surrounding villages the workmen donned their
usual holiday attire, women stood about their doors chatting, children
played in the streets. Church bells rung as usual summoning to public
worship. General French gathered his generals for an ea