Belgian erotica  

"In Belgium the trade is at its zenith ; and it would seem as if the production of French immoral books had centered itself in Brussels. Not only however are French books there published, but English ones also, and the Belgians even print at present books in English for London booksellers. Although the laws against this industry are in Belgium much the same as in France, yet they appear seldom to be enforced, and booksellers with open shops, issue catalogues, and vend their publications to any and every customer. The reason of this impunity may perhaps be partly explained by the peculiar and marked state of the two political parties, the liberals caring not to meddle in such matters, and the conservatives, or Roman Catholics, fearing by so doing to raise the cry of intolerance, and, true to their old traditions, they prefer a little immorality rather than loss of power.

Be this as it may, scarcely a month, or a week, passes without the production from the printing presses of Brussels of some such book ; many will be found noticed in this work ; I shall only mention here a collection, nicely printed, on good paper, and with portrait and fairly executed plates, of the chief works of Andrea de Nerciat ; and a new edition of " Justine et Juliette," which reached its termination in October 1875. The most prominent publishers are Ch. Sacré-Duquesne of No. 76 Rue du Midi, A. Christiaens of the Galerie Bortier, Vital Puissant, and Hartcupp et Cie." --Index Librorum Prohibitorum (Ashbee)