The scientific, literary, artistic and benev olent institutions of Brussels comprise a free university, founded in 1834, a proprietary in stitution, with four faculties, mathematical and physical sciences, belles-lettres, law and medicine; a school of geography, founded in 1830, with an extensive museum, embracing geology, chemistry and natural history; one of the finest observatories in Europe, the Belgian Royal Academy of Sciences, Letters and Fine Arts and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts; the public library, the picture gallery, with the finest specimens of Flemish art; the Royal School of Medicine; many institutions for elementary education; societies of horticulture and other natural sciences; several hospitals; an infirmary; a philanthropic society, etc.
During the Middle Ages Brussels did not attain the extent or importance of several other cities of the Low Countries. The Emperor Otho dated a decree from Brussels in 976. It was walled by Baldric, Count of Louvain, in 1044. It was more completely fortified in 1380, the wall then following nearly the line of the present boulevard. During the 15th century it was twice burned and once rava ed by the plague. It was the scene, in 1 of the
execution of Counts Egmont and orn. It was bombarded and burned by the French in 1695, and was the headquarters of Marlborough after the battle of Ramilies. It was taken by the French in 1794, and retained till 1814, when it became the chief town of the department of the Dyle. From 1815 to 1830 it was one of the capitals of the kingdom of the Netherlands, and in 1830 it was the chief centre of the revolt which separated Belgium from Holland. Since then it has been the capital of the Belgian kingdom, and one of the centres European civilization, being especially distinguished for the cultivation and patronage of art. Inter national conferences were held at Brussels in 1874, 1876, 1889-90 and in 1902. An inter national exposition of great importance, held in 1910, was visited by 13,000,000 persons, but was marred by a disastrous fire which oc casioned a loss of $10,000,000. Following the invasion during the great European War, Brussels was occupied by the Germans 20 Aug. 1914. The population of Brussels in 1911 was 177,078; including the suburbs, 728,910. The foreign element is prominent, especially the French.