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MONS. 17. Route. 218
welz, and Carniéres (p. 216). — 22 M. Haine- St-Pierre (p. 216); 20/2 M.
3 ; 30 M. Bonne-E pérance (p. 216). — 31 M. Faureulx, the junction
of branch-lines to Piéton (p. 216) and to Estinnes (p. 216). To the right
diverges the line to (87M.) Erquelinnes (p. 220). On the left branch we
next reach (34!/2 M.) Merbes-Ste- Marie (junction of the Faurceulx-Pic¢ton line,
see above), (39 M.) Lobbes (junction for Cha oi, Erquelinnes, and Mau-
beuge), (40!/2 M.) Thuin-Ouest, (44 M.) Thuillies (branch to Berzée, see p. 220;
steam-tramway to Charleroi, p. 220). — 68M. Chimay (p. 220).
12M. Tubize (445 ft.), Flem. Tweebeek, is the junction of
branch-lines to Rognon (p. 217) via Quenast, and to Braine-l Alleud
(p. 157) via Clabecq. Quemnast has large quarries of paving-stones.
— 15 a Hennuyéres. — Tunnel.
{81/ M. Braine-le-Comte, Flem. ’S Graven-Brakel (275 ft. ; Hotel
du onige de-Hainaut), a town with 9200 inhabitants, The parish-
church contains a large altar-decoration, with numerous figures, re-
sembling that of Hal (p. 8), but inferior and of later date (4570),
Braine-le-Comte is the junction of the Ghent-Enghien-Charleroi
line (R. 48).
2241/9 M. Soignies, Flem. Zinik (282 ft.; Hotel Delmée), a town
with 10, 6l 00 inhab., possesses a venerable abbey-church (St. Vincent),
founded about 650 and rebuilt in 965 and in the 12th century.
Though outwardly unimposing and partly masked by houses, this
edifice is a remarkable example of the early Romanesque style.
The interior, with low transepts and choir, contains a lectern of the
47th cent., choir-stalls of 1676, and an altar in the form of a large
tomb, with a reliquary. Many of the tombstones in the church-
yard date from the 13th and 44th centuries, Extensive quarries
of blue limestone in the neighbourhood, — Branch-line to Houdeng-
Goegnies (8'/ M.; p. 212); steam-tramway to Thoricourt (Enghien-
Lens), see p. 8.
26 M. Neufvilles, junction of a light railway from Casteau (p. 216)
to Horrues (on the line from Soignies to Thoricourt, p. 8). From
Casteau a branch diverges for Bracquegnies (p. 247). — 28 M.
Masnuy-Saint- Pierre. — 301/, M. Jurbise (251 ft.), Flem. Jurbeke,
where branch-lines to Ath (p. “7 and St. Ghislain (p. 215) diverge.
38 M. Mons. — Hotels. Gnranp-Hérex (P). a; A, 2), 48 R. from 2,
B. 1fr., with restaurant; Hor. pe L'Espérance (Pl. b; A, 2), these two
in the Rue de Ja Station, near the station; Monarque (PJ. c; A, 2), also
near the station. — Oafé Royal, Café Rubens, Cave de Munich, all in the
Grand’ Place (P). B, 2). — Information Office at the Hétel de Ville.
Mons (470 ft.), Flem. Bergen, the trim capital of Hainault, with
29,000 inhab., is situated on a hill above the Trouille and owes its
origin to a fortress erected here by Cesar during his campaigns
against the Gauls. The town was fortified by Jean d’Avesnes in the
14th century. Prince Louis of Orange took Mons by surprise on
24th May, 1572, and maintained it against the Duke of Alva till
19th September, thus giving the northern provinces an opportunity
of shaking off the Spanish yoke. The town was captured by Louis XIV.
in 1691, restored to the Spaniards in 1697, and again occupied by |