GREAT SQUARE AT BRUGES.

PRIOR to the time at which Antwerp engrossed nearly thewhole commerce of the North, Bruges was a place of thefirst importance. It sent numerous ships to the Greenlandwhale fishery, and vessels, of four hundred tons burden, arrivedby canals and anchored under the city widls, in a large basincalled the Komme. No city can more strongly mark theeffects of political changes : it is now a dull and rather gloomyplace, its commerce being confined to little more than apartial coasting trade. The streets seem almost deserted,excepting at the time of the Kermis, or fair, when it isresorted to by traders from all parts of the Netherlands.The great square occupies the centre of the city and isornamented by some striking public buildings. The Corpsde Logis is the most remarkable ; there is an ascent offive hundred and thirty-three steps to the summit of itslofty tower. This edifice contains large galleries which areopen during the fairs for the sale of various sorts of mer-chandise.