The Spell of Belgium

showed me the daily life and characteristics of a people of an old civilization as

ked of for the position, still in a way his appointment came as a surprise, and a very pleasant one, too, for we had been assured that "Little Paris" was an attractive post, and that Belgium was especially interesting to diplomats on acc

nd, of course, went directly to Brussels, and through his letters I was able to gain some idea of what our life there was to be. He lived for the time being in the Legation which had been rented by the former Minister. Through another cousin, who had been American Minister there a few year

present his credentials. Finally, however, he received a notification that the King of the

PALACE,

, came to the Legation a few minutes before eleven, bringing Colonel Derouette, commanding officer of the Grenadiers, who was met at the door by t

eous harness, with two outriders on high-steppers, proceeded. Following this carriage-which, by the way, was elaborately deco

ding, which is almost entirely new within the last few years, stood behind parterres of sunken gardens, beyond a bro

ugh the fast-gathering crowd, crossed the sunken garden, and entered the porte-cochère of the palace, where a group of officials stood at at

giment. When they had been presented, they turned and led the way up the great staircase. At the top another aide of the King, Baron de Moor, a strikingly handsome man who looked stunning in his unifor

me forward, and was presented. He disappeared through a door, saying that he would go and

om into which I was being ushered was a vast apartment, and not like the small state rooms in which on previous occasions I had been introduced for reception by royalt

ing man. He was dressed in simple mil