d almost excessive richness of ornamentation combine
to make the building worthy of being the commercial centre of an
important metropolis; but it has been sadly disfigured by the
application of a coat of paint, necessitated by the foible nature
of the stone. The principal facade is embellished with a Corinthian
colonnade, to which there is an ascent of twenty steps.]

[Illustration: CITY HALL, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.--This is by far the
most interesting edifice in the city, and one of the noblest and
most beautiful buildings of the kind in Belgium. It is of irregular,
quadrangular form, one hundred and ninety-eight feet in length, and
one hundred and sixty-five feet in depth, and encloses a court.
The principal facade is of Gothic style, and the graceful tower,
which, however, for some unexplained reason does not rise from
the centre of the structure, is three hundred and seventy feet in
height. The entire building dates back to the fourteenth century,
and is still occupied by municipal offices.]

[Illustration: CATHEDRAL OF STE. GUDULE.--In the central part of
the City of Brussels, overlooking its lower section, is the above
edifice, one of the most imposing and most ancient Gothic churches
in Belgium. It consists of a nave and aisle, having a retro-choir,
and deep bays, resembling chapels. It was built in 1220, and has
been in constant use for 670 years. While the elements of time are
crumbling its outside surface, leaving an abundance of disintegrated
matter at the base of its walls, its interior is adorned with fine
paintings and kept in apparently good order.]

[Illustration: THE FORBIDDEN BOOK (BY OOMS), ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS,
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM--This striking painting by that celebrated artist,
is a pleasing commingling of many colors, which, of course, are lost
in the photograph. The picture represents a private library, the
father and daughter eagerly devouring the contents of the Bible.
Unexpected foot-steps are heard; hence the frightened look of both,
for, in those days, reading the Bible was punished by death. The
painting is a subject study for the earnest Bible-reader.]

[Illustration: SCHEVENINGEN, HOLLAND.--This famous and popular
summer resort is annually visited by thousands of people. The sand
is firm and smooth, and the place possesses a great advantage over
other watering-places on the North Sea, having The Hague and woods
in close proximity, the latter affording pleasant and shady walks.
What appea