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tftergues. 



This is a small fortified place, but of the first class, 

 situated in a low and marshy district, the town being on 

 a gentle eminence, slightly elevated above the surrounding 

 level. 



Here also, under the ramparts, the fishing is excellent 

 of its kind. Roach, perch, etc. etc., are to be obtained in 

 almost any quantity. The canal abounds with fish; and 

 the bleak in the fosses are perhaps the largest in the world. 

 A friend of ours caught them occasionally as big as 

 herrings; but they are remarkably shy and cautious, 

 utterly unlike the small fry of their species. The only 

 way in which he was able to get them, was by hiding 

 himself behind the reeds and dibbling a natural horse-fly 

 on the surface of the water, employing for this purpose a 

 short fine gut line, and a light cane rod at least twenty- 

 two feet in length. 



It would be rash to say that these enormous bleak are 

 peculiar to the waters in this vicinity ; but certainly in 

 all our experience, we never saw such fish in any other 

 place. 



Bergues is only a short distance from Dunkirk, and 

 therefore can be easily visited by a resident at the latter 

 town. 



The beffroi at Bergues, is a curious piece of architecture 

 and is of Spanish origin. The public library is but small, 

 containing only five thousand volumes. There is, however, 

 a manuscript Psalter of the fifth century, beautifully 

 illuminated. 



The Museum contains some very valuable paintings by 

 Rubens, Vandyck, Segers and others. On the whole 



