 Pawnbroking is regulated by an 1848 law, supplemented by an 1891 constitution for the Brussels mont de pit dating from.The working capital of these official pawnshops is furnished by charitable institutions or the municipalities, but the Brussels one possesses a certain capital of its own in addition.The rate of interest charged in various parts of the country varies from 4 to 16%, but in Brussels it is usually less than half the maximum.