Full text |
TWO VIRILE PEOPLES WITH ONE NATIONAL SOUL
It is the happy combination of sentiment for the past with vigor-
ous exploitation of the gifts of today, that gives Belgium its greatest
charm. It is an active country, the most densely populated in Eu-
rope. From visiting its cities one would call it essentially industrial.
‘After riding through its country districts, one would say it was the
most intensely cultivated land he had ever seen. Trees occupy one-
fifth of the areaof Belgium and in no country perhaps is forestry
more assiduously and skilfully cultivated, or better use made of the
timber. The forests are to be seen at their best in the Ardennes.
The cradle of many rivers, large and small, with charming and
rugged scenery, this district contains the fragments of the forest
which in Caesar’s time extended from the Rhine into France.
‘As in its physical aspects, so in its people, Belgium is a land of
contrasts. It is a country of two peoples in one, with two languages.
In the North one finds the Fleming, in the South the Walloon, one
speaking Flemish, the other French, or the allied Walloon dialect.
Tn official business both languages are used, and most of the educated
people in the northern cities speak both languages.
Though it has been Belgium’s lot to have a population thus
differentiated by race and language, it has secured through these
very contrasts a rare cohesion of human forces. The Walloons have
imagination and initiative. The Flemings, less vivacious and origi-
nal, have the steady quality of seeing a thing through. Together the
two present a balance of power observed in no other country in the
world. The survival of Belgian national life is evidence of this. It
has been Belgium’s fate to be placed between two perennially hostile
racial groups, the Germanic peoples on the one side, the Gallic on the
other. Through centuries, under stress of repeated invasions and
conquests, the Belgians have remained intensely patriotic. Noble
memories cling to their ancient cities, and through these have lived
the national soul of Belgium.
The tourist visiting Belgium for the first time may not readily
distinguish between Fleming and Walloon. Physically the difference
is not great. The people of each race are sturdy. The Fleming is
more reserved in manner, more cautious of thought and speech with
the stranger. Physically he may be ruddy and blond. The Walloon
is darker, more volatile and a more ready talker. #
In their contact with travelers the Belgians, whether Fleming or
Walloon, are uniformly kind. They are the soul of simple politeness.
Among those who servé one in Belgium, there is none of that eager- _
ness to profit by the stranger’s presence that is to be noted in some
other countries of Europe. Prices are the same to all, whether native
or foreigner, and are modest, in view of current costs. In the matter
of tips, there is an established custom in Belgium that gratuities are
not expected to exceed ten per cent of one’s bill.
One final, abiding impression left on the mind of the traveler in
Belgium by the common people is one of exceeding industry and
thrift. Nothing is wasted. No one 1s idle. Everything has a just
value, and is prized accordingly. If a people are happy in proportion
to their labors and zeal, the Belgians should be among the happiest
people of the earth.
a
Brass-working shop, Dinant : ; i i
Courtesy A. Raulin-Hastitre, F SaNPeANTSIe Mvindmilejen ering grein
? |