At Bruges, wood is the common fuel ; but such fuel be- 

 comes so expensive, that every sort of substitute is resorted 

 to by the common people. We saw quantities even of the 

 stems of cabbages and the flower-stalks of turnips carefully 

 dried for this purpose. 



From Bruges to GheiU. 



Jug. 13. — On the morning- of the 13th August we set off 

 for Ghent, by another fine canal, in a Inlander or barge ele- 

 gantly fitted up, with every kind of accommodation. The 

 deck, shaded by an awning, was occupied chiefly by our own 

 countrymen ; the cabin was crowded by Flemish families, 

 who shewed little inclination to mingle with their foreign 

 visitants. The fore part of the vessel was furnished in a 

 very complete manner as a kitchen ; and, at 2 o'clock, 

 dinner was served in excellent style. Even a dessert was 

 not wanting, although this was but indifferent, consisting 

 chiefly of the short-stalked cherry, known at home by 

 the name of the Kentish, but undoubtedly of Flemish 

 origin. 



The white and the yellow water-lily (Nymphaea alba 

 and lutea), and the yellow bog-bean (Menyanthes nym- 

 phaeoides), are extremely common in the canal, and they 

 Were now in full flower. Owing to the quantity of water 

 displaced by the barge in its progress, the broad floating 

 leaves of the former may be observed continually curling up 

 and ducking under in a very pleasing manner. The water 

 is uncommonly clear for a navigable canal ; and fishes, ap- 

 parently carp, may frequently be observed. The banks of 

 the canal next to the water are decorated with several very 

 showy herbaceous plants, particularly Ly thrum salicaria, 

 or purple-spiked loosestrife, and Bu torn us umbellatus or 

 the flowering rush. "Both of these are indigenous to Bri- 



