CHAPTER IV.

Huy--The citadel--Churches--_The mineral and coal districts of Belgium_--Prosperity of coal mines--Quantity produced in Belgium compared with other countries--Its price at Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp--Panic in 1836 for the exhaustion of coal in Belgium--Scenery of the Meuse--Remarkable individuals born in its vicinity--Chateaux of Aigrement and Chokier--_Seraing_--Immense extent of the works--Its produce within its own walls--History of the establishment--Palace of the Prince Bishops of Liege--Encouraged by the King of Holland--The building--Huge steam engine--Surprising extent of the operations carried on--Iron works--Halls for construction of machines--Vast numbers of workmen employed--Its exports--_Mr. John Cockerill_--Extent of his speculations--Development of Seraing attributable to them--Its future prospects--Policy of England in regard to the export of machinery--_Importation of machinery into Belgium_--Road to Liege--LIEGE--No sympathy with its history--Turbulent and unamiable character of its ancient populace--Prince Bishop declares war upon France--Share of the Liegois in the revolution of 1830--Her threatened attack upon Seraing--The town--_Manufacture of fire-arms and cannon_--A flax mill--Its churches poor--The Palais de Justice--University--_Scenery of the Vesdre_--The railroad--_Chaud-fontaine_--SPA--Deserted--VERVIERS--The town--Conduct during the revolution--_The woollen trade of Belgium_--Want of native wool--Extent and decline of the trade--Its causes--Statement of M. Briavionne--_Joint Stock Companies_ in Belgium--Account of two at Verviers--The mania for speculation--Its failure--The Prussian frontier--Limbourg--Prospects of Belgium--Her bad condition--Policy of the King of Holland--That of the present government--Present aspect of their trade--Impossibility of competing with England--Character of the Belgian mechanics--_Ruinous effects of the_ “REPEAL OF THE UNION.” 166