The Family Guide to Brussels: comprising hints upon hiring houses, furniture, servants, etc

Front matter

FAMILY GUIDE TO BRUSSELS. England : Printed by Gibbs and Bamforth, "Herts Advertiser Office," St. Albans, Herts. 1883. THE FAMILY GUIDE TO BRUSSELS: comprising HINTS UPON HIRING HOUSES, FURNITURE, SERVANTS, COST OF LIVING, EDUCATION, AND THE GENERAL INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR A FAMILY PURPOSING TO RESIDE IN THAT CITY. l'.V J. R. SCOTT, of Brussels. " NIL DESPERANDUM TEUCRO DUCE ET AUSPICE TEUCRO." — HOR. SECOND EDITION. London: Edward Stanford, C iUid Tr Charing Cross; and Gibbs and Bamforth, St. Alb ans. Brussels: 28, Avenue de la Toison d'Or.

Preface

TO THE FIRST EDITION. The object of this little volume is to supply a want which the writer is assured has often been felt by families con templating to reside abroad for any length of time, whether actuated by motives of pleasure, education, or economy. It has for its basis the numerous enquiries addressed to him in letters, and in conversations held on the subject in his professional capacity as English Agent at Brussels. The various questions asked have been carefully noted down, the answers generalized, and their practical application adapted to the work ; and he has endeavoured to give as fully as his business avocations have allowed him the leisure, the summary of his personal experience of some years standing in Belgium in a complete and digested form ; entering into particulars which replies by post would not admit of.

There will, of course, arise from time to time particular questions requiring specific answers, which the writer will always be very happy to afford, and by directing his attention to such he trusts to be enabled to make a revised edition even more adapted to meet the requirements of intending visitors to this country. VI preface. The great difficulty hitherto experienced by many has been in obtaining pratical information — information such as a family requires on subjects affecting their daily wants, expenses, etc. ; and facts have been culled from the writer's' professional experience for the purpose of giving correct and trustworthy opinions to strangers. The numerous Continental Guides which have been already given to the public are only intended to meet either the necessities of summer visitors or as mediums for advertising particular houses of business, and fail to give those useful instructions to which Paterfamilias more particularly directs his attention, as it will be readily understood that there is a great difference in the kind of knowledge required by the mere bird of passage flying through the country in pursuit of pleasure and sight seeing, and that which is sought by a family with all the diversified and important cares attending its removal to a foreign country ; where the laws and local usages differ materially from our own, and with which it is highly necessary to be acquainted before making one's engagements.

It must be premised that it is not his intention to paint everything couleur de rose. The advantages and disadvantages will be alike fairly submitted, and considering the difficulty of giving advice thereon, the interested reader must himself weigh the pros and cons deduced herein, and draw his own conclusion as to the desirableness of making his abode in this country ; and we hope that our aim will not be altogether unsuccessful in rendering the following pages of some service. The writer has striven to the best of his ability to give his remarks in a concise and in telligible manner, and the kind forbearance of the public is solicited for any literary faults tnat may be met with- As a man of business having but few opportunities of attaining any degree of perfection in such a task, he

PREFACE.

. VII relies more on the soundness of his views and his efforts to render them as practical as possible, than on the style in which they are conveyed in order to meet with the approbation of his readers. He must also apologise for same few clerical errors, for which the compositor is more particularly responsible. 17, Rue des Petits Carmes, 1870.

PREFACE.

TO THE SECOND EDITION. Since the first edition of my "Family Guide to Brussels" was issued, now some thirteen years since, great European changes have taken place, and the Franco-German War has materially affected Brussels in many ways, and obliges me thoroughly to revise what I wrote concerning it in 1870. This task, I trust, I have accomplished in a satisfactory manner, and hope that the Guide may again be found in every way trustworthy and reliable. With regard to my critics, I little anticipated either praise or blame, and the only recompense I expected to receive for my trouble and outlay, was that my little book with all its faults, might possibly be of some service to those families who were unacquainted with the country. Relying on the experience which guided my pen, I could not anticipate that it would fall utterly valueless to the ground, I therefore received with unaffected pride and pleasure, the numerous private letters sent by utter strangers, and to whom I beg to tender, at this the first convenient opportunity that is afforded me, my very grateful

PREFACE.

. thanks for their kind words of approbation. I must also acknowledge the courtesy shown to me by the Reviewers of the Press and the favourable comments made by them in the Independant Journals, to whom the work was submitted. They have had no little influence in deciding me to bring out a Revised Edition. I may be permitted to give two or three extracts from those letters ; one received from the daughter of the late Tom Hood. She herself is now no more, the gifted children of that inimitable punster and poet have not enjoyed a long life. The admitted literary ability of his family allowed me to flatter myself, without egotism, that I had done well to merit her commendation. 28, Avenue de la Toison d'Or, Brussels, December, 1883. Down House, Portishead, June 11th. Sir, Pray accept my best thanks for your letter which con tained some very useful information for which I am much obliged I am exceedingly obliged by your kind offer of help with the passport, but I think I need not trouble you, as I have written to my brother, Mr. Tom Hood, the Editor of " Fun," who will arrange that for me.

The little volume on Brussels, which led us to seek you, is most invaluable to all about to go to Brussels. Again begging you to accept my best thanks. I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, Mr. Scott. Frances F. Broderip.

PREFACE.

. IX Vicarage, England, October 28th, 73 Dear Sir, I am trusting to your courtesy to excuse me, who am a perfect stranger, for writing to you, but thus the matter happens. I am the Vicar of this parish, and about a year ago I obtained through my bookseller your little volume, which I have before me as I write, " The Family Guide to Brussels." Excuse my saying what a nicely written and useful book it is, and upon it be the blame of my trespassing upon your time. I have a daughter about 15 at school in England, and in the coming year I have a desire to place her for a time at a school abroad, and was thinking of Germany, but after taking up your book my thoughts have turned to Brussels and sojourn for a time in your fair city, and now with a reiterated apology, I am, Yours faithfully, J. R. Scott, Esq. British Legation, Brussels, 26th May, 1871.

Sir, I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23rd inst. , with two copies of your work entitled ' ' The Family Guide to Brussels," of which you request me to accept one copy, and to present the other to Mr. Lumley. In return I beg to express my thanks, and I am authorised by Mr. Lumley to thank you for this useful gift. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Mb. J. R. Scott. H. Bakron, Bart. CONTENTS. PAGE General Remarks Brussels ' The Beloians The Citt and Suburbs 12 Thb City (Within the Boulevards) 13 The Qu artier Leopold lf> Ixelles * ' The Quartier Louise 18 The Faubourgs 2u Language 22 Season 23 Climate *° Furnished Housbs 2* Furnished Apartments 30 Unfurnished Houses 35 "Unfurnished Apartments, and Furnishing the Same 36 Hiring, Buying, and Bringing Furniturb over from England. 39 Rent Payable in Advancb 46 Houses to bb Avoided 47 Gas— Water -Drains- Chimneys 48 Plate and Linen 49 China, Crockery, Glass, and Kitchen Utensils 50 Kitchen Stove 60 Bedding 61 Blankets 51 Curtains 52 Pianofortes 52 Household Sundries 52 Leases and Agreements 53 Fire Insurance 62 Inventories 63 Certificate of Domicile 65 Custom Housb Formalities CONTENTS.

PAGE Contributions, or Taxbs 70 Wines and Spirits 74 Clothing 75 Washing 76 Coal and Wood 77 Hotels 78 Private Hotels 79 Boarding Houses 79 Hotel and Boarding House Charges 80 Belgiak Servants 82 Servants' Wages — Extras 84 Servants' ' ' Livrets " 86 English Servants 87 Attendance and Service 88 Prices and Quality of Provisions 89 Es .ikons of Brussels 94 Sights, Walks, Amusements and Excursions 96 Talais de Justice 102 Education , 104 Popularity of the English in Belgium 116 Belgian Shopkeepers 119 Unreasonable Expectations 120 Registration of Births 121 Registration of Deaths 121 Marriages 122 The Belgian Court 123 The Late and Present English Embassy 124 English Consul 126 American Minister and Consuls 127 Clubs and Societies 128 Exchange 129 Carriage Hire 130 Cabs 131 To insure an Early Cab in the Morning 132 Wabehousing of Luggage 132 The Brussels Cricket Club 133 Evening Parties, etc 137 Society 137 Arrest for Debt 137 " The Belgian News " CONTENTS.

XII PAGE Routes from London to Brussels (and vice versa) 140 Summary of Routes from London to Brussels (and vice versa) 140 Routes between Belgium and other Countries on* the Continent 147 Railway Communication and Fares 148 Transport of Luggage 149 Postal Guide 153 Telegraph Service 157 The British Charitable Fund 158 English Churches in Belgium 159