Page:The study of history in Holland and Belgium (IA studyofhistoryin00frrich).pdf/25

 the population of these regions had passed, from the Celtic period down to our day; he expatiated upon the commercial importance of the regions, as well as upon the Breton and Vendean ports, and presented a complete picture of the physical and moral situation of the country. This geography lecture was very full and very precise, evidently inspired by the method of Elyseé Reclus. Here also, there were four students.

On account of the small number of auditors, almost all candidates for the doctorate in Netherlandic literature, these courses have quite a familiar character. They are given in a modest room in the first étage of an old house formerly occupied by officers of the Dutch Indies and now rented to the University. A desk of wood, painted in imitation of oak, tables of the same color and a dozen convenient and comfortable chairs, together with the maps that tapestry the walls, constitute the furniture. Through the large windows can be seen the buttresses and high pointed arches of the church of St. Peter and the leaves of the trees which meet over the ancient church yard. One could fancy himself in a Flemish nunnery.

On the ground floor of the University, in a great Gothic hall whose arches rest upon elegant columns, Prof. Acquoy gives his course in ecclesiastical history. In spite of his white hair, M. Acquoy is still very vigorous, and is distinguished for his animated teaching, full of humor and good nature. I heard him describe the state of schools and libraries at the time of Charlemagne. There were about ten listeners, students of theology. The lecture was a charming chat, in which the most vast and varied learning reproduced with truly picturesque touches the intellectual situation in the West in the year 800. One would have thought a contemporary was speaking of what he had seen with his own eyes. After attending his lecture I understood the sympathy with which this modest and amiable scholar inspires his pupils, rosy as he is, freshly shaven and framed in his silver beard, with a courteous and cordial manner, an expression full of goodness, a delivery at