LIEGE. This very important Belgian pro vince produces hops, corn, and a little wine ; the pastures are good, and maintain great numbers of horned cattle and sheep. The mineral wealth of the country is considerable ; there are mines of calamine, alum, lead, and iron ore ; but more important than all these together are the numerous coal mines of the province. The manufactures, which are con ducted on a large scale, consist of all kinds of steam-machinery for railroads and factories, mil castings, fine woollens, merinoes, linen, cotton stuffs, cutlery and surgical instruments, fire arms, glass, hardware, &c. The number of steam-engines of different kinds in the province is between 400 and 500.
The manufacturing towns are numerous. Glans is the centre of a great straw-hat manu facture, which gives occupation to upwards of 6000 people. Herstal, or Heristal, has impor tant coal-mines, iron and steel works, and iron-foundries. Herm has manufactures in woollen cloth, stockings, and shoes. At Hay, beer, spirits, paper, leather, linen, and cast iron are manufactured. Seraing has coal-mines, important iron-foundries, and glass-works. Spa, famous for its mineral springs and baths, ex ports about 150,000 bottles of mineral water annually from the Ponhon spring, which is the strongest. Spa is famous also for the ma nufacture of elegant wooden toys, workboxes, writing-desks, &c. Veruiers is famous for the
manufacture of fine and ordinary woollen cloths and kerseymeres, giving employment to 40,000 hands in the town and neighbourhood; the Belgian army is clothed principally from the looms of Verviers, the total produce of which is estimated at 1,000,000/. sterling, an nually. Flannels, serges, tickings, coverlets, mouselines de laine, merino, &c., are also ma nufactured. The dyes of Verviers are said not to be surpassed in Europe. Thero are also establishments for the manufacture of steam machinery, ironmongery, soap, beer, &o.
But the most important town in the pro vince is Lage, from which the province itself has been named. The extensive coal-mines near the town ; its numerous iron-works, royal cannon foundry, and establishments for the manufacture of fire-arms, hardware, broad cloth, glass, and leather ; its engine-factories, zinc-rolling mills, and naileries ; its linen and cotton factories, steel-works, and breweries ; together with a flourishing commerce in colo nial produce and manufactured goods,—render it one of the most important towns in Bel gium, and one of the most industrial spots in Europe.