228 f^tsit to Antwerp at ike Capitulation of 1833. 



of the saints, some books of chivalry, and a translation of Plutarch's Lives. 

 The winding staircase led from this to the third story, constituting the 



hall of the baron, warraed by a chimney large enough to roast an ox 



The numerous high and narrow windows of the hall were enriched with 

 painted glass, containing armorial bearings, or representing some event 

 from history, the scriptures, or the lives of the saints. The corners were 

 partitioned off, and contained beds for the accommodation of guests. In 

 the story above this was lodged the warder of the castle, who, from his 

 elevated post, surveyed the surrounding country, and gave notice, by his 

 horn, of the approach of visitors or of enemies. 



"The castle-yard was surrounded by a very strong wall, within which 

 stood a chapel, store-houses, and the habitations of the male servants. 

 The ground immediately adjoining, was planted with vegetables and fruit 

 trees for the use of the castle ; and beyond were the fields, cultivated for 

 the baron by his immediate dependents." 



VISIT TO ANTWERP AT THE CAPITULATION OF 1833. 



Battles and sieges being rare occurrences in the present day, we pro- 

 pose to present to our readers some particulars relating to the siege of 

 Antwerp, an event which occupied, during its progress, an engrossing 

 share of public attention. Upon the present occasion, our relation will 

 chiefly restrict itself to the local consequences of the bombardment. 



On the morning of the 25th of February, shortly after the capitulation 

 of the citadel, the writer of this account and a friend left Brussels by the 

 Mechlin road, for Antwerp, Upon the western side of Mechlin, in addition 

 to the regular fortifications of the town, a small ravelin had been thrown 

 up to command the road, and several guns, mounted en barbette,* were 

 placed in battery behind it. 



The ravelin being exactly in advance of the town gate, the road, origin- 

 ally straight, had been turned a little to the right, and made to enter 

 between the gate and the ravelin. 



A league or two further on, the little river Neethe crosses the road, and 

 advantage had been taken of this circumstance to throw up a rampart 

 behind the stream, forming thereby a position of some strength, should the 

 French army, under any unforeseen circumstances, have thought proper to 

 retire. The road between this and Berchem is perfectly straight, and raised 

 slightly above the surrounding country : no works had been erected upon 

 it, owing probably to the level nature of the ground j but the numbers of 

 straggling soldiers, ammunition carts, waggons laden with shells, and gal- 



• Cannon are usually placed below the level of the rampart, in which a small 

 opening, called an embrasure, is cut. A gun en barlette needs no embrasure, being 

 placed above the rampart, upon a carriage admitting of its traversing in any direc- 

 tion. 



