Spiers: Memoranda of an autumn tour in 1836

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CONT. AUG. 16. TUES.

a legend 2 is attached 1 [or is attached a legend] & pictures of some Jews who stole the sacramental wafers, whence blood issued. - a fine high altar near which are two tombs & effigies of Dukes of Burgundy & Leopold's son who died with the title of Prince of Brabant in the centre. - Its Palais de Justice is a wonderfully curious building with an arcade of shops withinside & pillars of Moorish architecture, richly sculptured each varying in design - & on the sloping roof an infinity of small windows. It was formerly the palace of the Prince Bishop. Much do I regret that Sir Walter Scott had acquainted himself with the existing localities of Liège before writing his novel of Quentin Durward. There is no spot that one can fix upon - except perhaps the square in front of the Palais. By the bye his journey from Tours to Liège must have been along the river from Namur to this place. The Bishops castle of Schonwaldt was situated 10 miles distant from the town. We shall pass its site tomorrow but no remains exist.

At the theatre, Madame Malibran, her sister and Dr Bériot were giving concerts at 10 francs each ticket. On Sunday 600 were present and no places were to be had some hours before it commenced.

We had an excellent table d'hote dinner & much walking about the town & up to the high church on the hill & from a terrace near it a fine view of the town & the valley & the river & the hills. And it being the fête of St Roch all the little girls in the town are dressed in their best & privileged to beg for money to spend it in his honor & glory. We were unwilling to part with our money for nothing and so many pretty cheeks were held up to us that had us troubling in finding an article of barter, a kiss for each centime we bestowed was cheaply purchased besides the fun it afforded both parties.

We visited a café in the evening & played at Dominoes packed up our bag & sent it off to Coblenz - despatched a letter home & thus finished a delightful day.

18 miles

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