Peeps At Many Lands: Belgium

ve the shore,

s or willows, which are bent slightly towards the east, for the wind blows oftenest from the west, small patches of woodland, gardens, and many sluggish streams. The fields, which have no fences or hedges round them, are large and well tilled, some bearing fine crops of wheat, rye, or p

is village live by fishing, but in a very curious way, for they do it on horseback. They mount little horses, and ride out into the sea with ba

These are offerings made to an image of the Virgin Mary which stands there. If a crew of Flemish fishermen have escaped from so

r round but black bread and potatoes, and who look on pork or fish as quite a treat. Sometimes they spread lard on their slices of bread, and there are many who have never tasted

they dine on bread and potatoes, with perhaps a slice of pork, and take a rest. Then they work again till about four in the afternoon, when they rest again, and after that they work on till it is dark. In the short days of winter they toil from

an open one on payment of a small sum of money to the Government. The result is that in many quite small villages, where very few people live, there are ten or twelve public-houses, where a large glass of beer is sold for less than a penny, and a glass of coarse spirits for about the same price. Most of the drinking is done on Sunday, and on Monday morning it is often difficult to get men to work. There are many,

HORSEBACK, C

y village in summer, and lasts for two or three days. They talk about it for weeks before, and for weeks after. They save up every penny they can lay their

al colours-fly on the houses. A band of music plays. Travelling showmen are there with merry-go-rounds, and the children are never tired of riding round and round on the gaily painted wooden horses. Then there is dancing in the pub

e scraping of feet on the sanded floor make an awful din. Then there are sometimes disputes, and the Flemings have a nasty habit of using knive

are just ordinary fairs, with menageries and things of that sort, which you can find in England or anywhere else. I