Photo and copyright by Underwood & Underwood 



A STRKET CROWD IN LOUVAIN, WITH THE HOTEL DE VILLE IN THE BACKGROUND 



I^ouvain was a city of about 50,000 inhabitants, and in former times was the capital of 

 Belgium. It lost its dominance following the insurrection of 1,378 and its capture by Duke 

 Wenceslaus four years later. A university was established in the hope of rejuvenating the 

 place, but without success. Its theological school has been the pride of Belgium. The Gothic 

 church of St. Pierre, next to the town hall, was Louvain's most important building. Of 

 cruciform shape, the interior was 303 feet long, go feet broad, and 82 feet high. The prin- 

 cipal art pieces were a copy of De Crayer's "Saint Carlo Borromeo," Geerts' statue of St. 

 Charles, a carved and painted draped image of Christ, De Crayer's "Holy Trinity," and 

 Dierick's "L,ast Supper." 



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