BELGIUM 



487 



reasonably proud of their past. The bravery, intelligence, and energy by which they won 

 distinction when the sword was the arbiter of fortune are strong as ever in the Belgians, but 

 are now exercised under conditions widely different- from those of the past. They excel in the 

 arts of peace, as formerly they were proficient in the arts of war. They now present an 

 attractive picture of a prosperous, peaceable, rich, and thoroughly comfortable little nation. 

 Belgium is essentially a manufacturing country. Machinery, iron and steel, glass, cottons and 

 linen, are some of its principal manufactures, while lace is, from its association with the name 

 of the capital, perhaps its best-known product. The Socialists appear to be very numerous, 

 and probably the social edifice is not very secure just now. 



The Belgians still practise at Ostend one of their ancient rites expressive of their 

 appreciation of the sources which contribute to wealth and comfort. Ostend is the second 

 port of Belgium, a railway terminus, and station for the Dover mail-boats and London 

 steamers. Several religious and popular festivals are held there in the summer months. The 

 most interesting is the procession on St. Peter's Day, the 29th of June. It recalls the 

 ancient ceremony of marriage with the sea at Venice. In presence of a vast concourse of 

 fishermen and their families, and as many of the summer visitors as choose to witness the 

 imposing ceremony, the sea is solemnly blessed. 



Education is as backward in Belgium as we have just seen that it is advanced in 

 Denmark. In 1896 it was estimated that nearly 27 per cent, of the population were unable 

 to read. 



The religion of the country is Eoman Catholic. Nearly all the inhabitants at least 

 nominally profess this faith. 



Photo by P. H. Fincham} 



[Londoti. 



A FAMILY GROUP OF MARKEX PEOPLE. 



