the capital of Brabant in the Austrian Netherlands, and generally the seat of the Austrian governor, is situated on the small river Senne, which runs through it. It is a rich and handsome city; and among the public structures, the ducal palace where the governor resides, the town-house, and the arsenal, are most superb. No city in Europe, except Naples and Genoa, makes a finer appearance at a distance; but, like them, when in the town, it is all up and down hill. It is encompassed with a double brick wall, and has seven gates; but being seven miles in compass, is too large to hold out a long siege. In Brussels are seven fine squares or market places; that of the great market is one of the most beautiful in the world. The town-house takes up one quarter of it; and has a very high steeple, on the top of which is a brazen statue of St Michael, fifteen feet high. In one of the apartments, which is handsomely adorned, the states of Brabant meet. In three other rooms there is the history of the resignation of Charles V. wrought in tapestry; which is so well done, that it may be mistaken for painting. In the other parts of this square, are the halls of the different trades. There are here several palaces of the nobility: that of Orange now belongs to the king of Prussia. Brussels, Prussia. The opera-house is built after the Italian manner, with rows of boxes, in which are chimneys. One is covered ever with looking-glass, so that they can fit by the fire, drink a bottle, and see what is doing. There are 20 public fountains, adorned with statues, at the corners of the most public streets; and in the middle of the town-house is one with Neptune, the tritons, and the horses spouting out water from their nostrils. The hospitals are well endowed, some of which are for the maintenance of strangers for three days. There is also a founding hospital, and one for penitent courtezans. Among the churches, that of St Gudula is very magnificent. It stands on the top of a hill, near the gate of Louvain, and is surrounded with iron balustrades. It is an old Gothic structure, with two large steeples at the east end, and is finely adorned within. The Jesuits have a fine church as well as a library. There are several monasteries and nunneries, two of which last are English. The nunnery called the Reminage is like a little town, being surrounded by a wall and ditch, and has little streets, where each nun has an apartment. Six or seven hundred girls are educated here.

In 1695, Brussels was bombarded by marshall Villeroi, who demolished four thousand houses, the stadt-house, and several churches. In 1708, it was besieged again by the elector of Bavaria; but the duke of Marlborough soon came to its assistance, and obliged him to raise the siege with precipitation. Marshal Saxe, the French general, took it in 1746; but it was restored by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle. It is much fallen from its former splendor; and all the trade which is carried on there is in lace, cumblets, and tapestry, which they make in great perfection. E. Long. 4°. N. Lat. 50°. 51'.

(the quarter or district of), is one of the four parts of the duchy of Brabant. This quarter is bounded on the east by that of Louvain; on the north by that of Antwerp; on the west by Flanders; and on the south by Hainault. Brussels is the capital city of this quarter and all Brabant.