if we were called upon to point out the most
disgusting abomination to be found in the whole range of contemporary
literature, we have no hesitation in saying we should feel it our duty
to lay our finger on the Bolingbroke-_Balaam_ of that last and
worst of an insufferable charlatan's productions."--_Devereux_.

* * * * *

BRUSSELS IN 1829.

For the education of youth of both sexes, Brussels is one of the best
stations on the continent, and is a good temporary residence for
Englishmen whose means are limited. The country is plentiful, and
consequently every article of living moderate. It is near England, the
government is mild, and there is no restraint in importing English
books, though their own press is any thing but free.

The population of Brussels is rated at nearly 100,000, of which
above 20,000 are paupers, supported by the government and voluntary
contributions. The population is rapidly increasing. The number of
foreigners in the winter of 1828 was between seven and eight thousand,
of which half the number were English. Many families settle for a
season, and take their flight south, or return home in June; but the
greatest number are stationary for the education of their children. An
English clergyman, formerly a teacher at Harrow, has an establishment
for boys, well conducted, and the expense does not exceed fifty guineas
a year. There are several seminaries for girls, also superintended by
Englishwomen, with French teachers. Masters in every department are
excellent, so that few places afford better schools for education.

The air in the upper part of the city is salubrious, and the climate,
perhaps, better on the whole than England; but the winters are sharper,
and the summers hotter; fogs are less frequent, and the spring generally
sets in a fortnight earlier than in any part of Great Britain.

Our countrymen will be disappointed who settle in Brussels as a place of
amusement, for no capital can be more dull; and the natives are not
ready of access, which is probably as much the fault of their visitors
as themselves. As a station for economy, it can be highly recommended,
provided no trust is put in servants, and every thing is paid for with
ready money. The writer of this article resided in Brussels for a dozen
years, and he knows this from experience. If an establishment, large
or small, is well regulated, a saving of fifty per cent, may be made,
certainly, in ho