Belgium and the Belgians. By Cyril Scudamore. (W. Black- wood
and Sons. 6s.)—This, perhaps, is hardly the most apposite time for the appearance of a book on Belgium. Anyhow, it might be as well to study it at home, and to put off the testing of the information which it supplies to a more convenient oppor- tunity. Just now the average Belgian is distinctly not Anglo- phil. It is a curious fact that the Belgians, whom we certainly favoured when they were struggling for independence in 1830 and afterwards, and the Dutch, whom we as certainly dis- obliged at that time, hate vs about equally. It is only fair to say, however, that Mr. Scudamore gives us a generally pleasing picture of the people. Matters are well managed among them. One can travel on any State railway for a year for 426 5s. 4d., a sum which would be charged in England for a journey of twenty- seven miles. On the other hand, imagine the insulting treat- ment of dogs ! They cannot be introduced into a railway car- riage except in a cage Mr. Scudamore gives but a poor character of the Belgian as a sportsman. The hotelkeepers are often offenders, actually blowing up trout. (We apologise for mentioning such a crime, flagitia debent abscondi.)
Previous page
