§& HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



them, like those lately swept from the base of St Giles's at 

 Edinburgh. On entering, We were delighted with the effect 

 of those inimitable ornaments, the folding paintings of Ru- 

 bens, at the high altar. These, it is well known, were prepa- 

 red by the artist expressly for the situation which they now 

 once more occupy (having been last year sent back from Pa- 

 ris), and certainly in no other could they be nearly so effec- 

 tive. We ascended the lofty steeple, which is constructed 

 of stone, and about 400 feet high. The day being clear, we 

 enjoyed a very extensive prospect. By means of a small 

 telescope, we were able to see objects pretty plainly for 

 about forty miles on every side. We could distinctly trace 

 the whole road by which we had, in the morning, travelled 

 from Ghent. Towards the south, Malines appeared very 

 distinct ; and by employing this city as a point of direction, 

 our guide enabled us to make out both Brussels and Lou- 

 vain in the distance. All this extent of country appeared 

 like one vast flat forest, and the high roads like white lines 

 traced among the trees. Towards the east, our view was 

 bounded only by the sea : beyond Fort Lillo, we could 

 descry the shipping at Flushing, and the steeple of Middle- 

 burg. To the northward, the country seemed compara- 

 tively bare and poor. 



All the large trees immediately around Antwerp had 

 been felled by orders of Carnot in 1814, as preparatory to 

 the determined defence of the place which he contemplated. 

 The line of this precautionary devastation was still easily 

 traced by the eye, although great numbers of young trees 

 had been planted in the room of the old ones. 



We visited the new quay and basin begun by Buona- 

 parte, and on which, it is said, he prided himself much. 

 They are doubtless grand works ; but to those who have 

 *een the docks at Liverpool, or at the Isle of Dogs below 



