90 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



From Ghent to Antwerp. 



Aug. 19. — We left Ghent about 5 A. M. for Antwerp. 

 Even at this early hour, the lower orders were hurrying 

 to matins ; and though it was scarcely day-light, a posse 

 of beggars did not fail to attend us, and to proffer, at very 

 easy rates, the benefit of their prayers for the prosperity of 

 our journey. 



The country through which we passed this morning was 

 extremely well cultivated. The soil is naturally light, or 

 even sandy ; but agricultural industry has rendered it fer- 

 tile. The surface continued quite level. The centre of the 

 high road, to the breadth of about fifteen feet, is paved with 

 stones brought chiefly from Fontaine TEveque near Charle- 

 roi. This forms the cliaussee properly so called ; it is oc- 

 cupied by waggons and by diligences, which in this coun- 

 try resemble waggons. Spaces of equal breadth with the 

 chaussee, and often much broader, are left on each side, 

 laid only with sand : these are used by equestrians, and 

 frequently by persons travelling in cabriolets. In general, 

 there are rows of trees on the exterior margins, chiefly elm 

 and ash ; and frequently there are ditches full of water, 

 beyond these. Coppices of oak and alder abound. Small 

 orchards, containing apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees, 

 are not uncommon ; and on the whole, the country is well 

 irooded. 



Having, after travelling for between three and four hours, 

 thought it time to inquire about breakfast, our conducteur 

 assured us that he was not in the practice of making a 

 halt for such a meal, but added, that we might snatch 

 a cup of coffee while our horses were changing. This we 

 effected at a little village called Sinay, not far from the 

 numerous small canals of Mocrbeke. We now entered 



