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FOREWORD
RAVEL, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the
elder, a part of experience,” says Bacon.
The purpose of this book is to assist both the traveler who
seeks education and him who sees the world to ripen his experience
in life. The story of what Belgium holds for the thoughtful observer
is told here in compact form, indicating the country’s open doors to
knowledge and suggesting what is to be found within them.
Even a short journey in Belgium is rich in the satisfaction that
comes from mental stimulus; a residence there, though brief, for the
studiously inclined is a stepping-stone to broadened vision. In the
ancient Belgian cities art becomes a living force, and many things in
history that before seemed distant and obscure are endowed with
vitality and new significance. In its daily life modern Belgium is an
example to the world of industry and thrift.
A more fitting climax to school years than a period of study and
travel in Belgium would be hard to imagine. The student residing or
traveling there finds himself understood by the people. His expenses
are low. He may travel in the simplest manner, even with his pos-
sessions in a knapsack on his back, without loss of respect, and with
added knowledge for every hour and mile of his journey. He may re-
side in Belgian cities, among cultured people, and benefit by daily
use of two or three langtiages, at a smaller cost than he can live at
home, and with an hourly gain in education.
To teachers or professors in schools or colleges, to writers, doctors,
artists—in short, to all members of the liberal professions who would
refresh their mental forces by travel and observation, Belgium is no
less a treasure-house than to the student; while the business man who
travels for recreation and a quick, comprehensive view of famous
places, finds within a small compass in Belgium virtually all the ap-
peals to his interest that would come to him only in far longer jour-
neys in other countries.
In issuing this book the Red Star Line is prepared to supplement
or amplify any of the information here given for the benefit of those
who would travel in Belgium—of course without charge. The Red
Star Line has been in business more than fifty years, and its ships
have transported approximately three million travelers between the
United States and Belgium. To meet all tastes among ocean voy-
agers of today the Red Star Line now maintains two kinds of high-
class service between New York and Antwerp—with ships of the
Belgenland type carrying first, second and third class passengers,
and with others, known as cabin steamers, carrying only one class of
cabin passengers. The cabin steamers are popular with the educa-
tional traveler, for they provide in cabin refined comforts and an
excellent cuisine at very moderate rates.
THE i a | : as :
Res Po ee LINER BELGENLAND IN THE RIVER SCHELDT i Particulars as to rates and sailing dates of Red Star Line steamers
, ,000 tons bee is the largest entering the port of Antwerp and one of j will be furnished on application to any steamship agent, or to com-
e finest-in transatlantic service hed pany’s headquarters at No. 1 Broadway, or No. 22 Rue des Peignes
From a painting by Charles Dixon I Antwerp.
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