his being called upon to lead them against Louis de Mâle. In the Marché au Vendredi also were lighted the fires of the Inquisition, under the Duke of Alva. The great cannon, situated in a street called the "Mannekens Aert," close to the Marché, is called Du dulle Griete, alias Mad Margery, is the most enormous ever cast, measuring 10 feet in length and 10 feet in circumference. It is made of hammered iron, and was used in 1382 at the siege of Oudenarde, by the citizens of Ghent. An interesting monument of antiquity stands in the Place St. Pharailde, near the Marché aux Poissons. It consists of an old turreted gateway, called the Oudeburg, or the count's stone or castle, built in 868, by Baldwin Bras de fer. It is incorporated with a cotton factory now, and deserves a visit, as one of the oldest buildings in Belgium. In the year 1338, Edward III. and his family resided here. During his residence his queen gave birth to her son, John of Gaunt (Ghent). An intimate and friendly alliance existed for years between the English and people of Ghent. It may not be uninteresting to mention the fate of Jacques Van Artavelde, the brewer, whom Edward III. of England used to style familiarly "his dear gossip." He was a faithful friend and ally to this king, and lost his life, it may be said, in his service. He invited Edward III. over to Sluis, in 1344, with a view of taking council for the promotion of the promise made to the king by Jacques, to the effect that he would make him "Lord and heritor of Flanders," a thing altogether opposed to the wishes of the Gantoises. Public indignation was excited against him, and was further increased by a rumour to the effect that he had, during his administration of the government of Flanders, stealthily sent large sums of money out of the exchequer to England, which so exasperated the people as to cause them to enter into a revolt against him, assault his house, which was attacked by a mob of 400 persons, and broken into, when a citizen, named Thomas O. Dennys, slew him without mercy. Thus perished the man by the hands of those citizens whom he once influenced, led, and governed. His statue was set up in the Square, 1963, on the site of one of Charles V., which stood here till 1796.

Portes de la Ville, or City Gates.-There are seven principal gates, the most remarkable of which are

those of Brussels, St. Lievin, St. Peter, and Bruges, all of which present curious relics of the ancient gates erected in the 14th century. The greater portion of these gates have been re-constructed, after a style of beautiful architecture.

Casino. Situated near the canal, cut in 1750, to unite the Lys and Bruges canal together. The botanical society and the musical Society of St. Cécily had this edifice constructed, in which might be held the reunions of the latter, and the floral exhibitions of the former.

Citadel. Was erected by Charles V., and was the first thing of the kind raised in Belgium. It was called "Château des Espagnols," and is situated on the east side of the town, not far from the Porte d'Anvers. In it were imprisoned the Counts Egmont and Hoorn, and it was besieged in 1570 by the townspeople, under the Prince of Orange, when they rose to throw off the Spanish yoke. The Spaniards vigorously defended it, but 3,000 Gantoises, wearing white shirts to distinguish them, assaulted it, and were repulsed, in consequence of the ladders being too short. The Spaniards capitulated next morning, after the attack, and, terms being granted, the Senora Mondragon, who had bravely defended the fortress during her husband's absence, with about 150 men, some women, and a few children, the sole remnant of the garrison, marched out, to the surprise of the victors.

Hospitals.-Ghent possesses 21 hospitals, civil and military. The principal of these is the Byloque, founded in 1225, and capable of containing 600 sick. In the church attached to it, Jacques Van Artavelde was buried. The military hospital is situated near the church of St. Martin, among beautiful gardens.

Theatre.-A magnificent theatre has been lately erected at the corner of the Place d'Armes. The salon, concert hall, and ball-rooms are beautiful in their construction and decoration. It was erected at a cost of 2,500,000 francs.

Palais de Justice-Situated in the Rue du Theatre, is a very fine building, and will repay notice.

The commerce and manufactures of Ghent are very extensive and various; the most important of the latter consist in cotton printing, cotton spinning, lace making (Brussels and Valenciennes), cloth working, gin distilling, sugar refining, soap making, brewing, goldsmiths' work, paper making,

and numerous other branches of industry, particularly the making of masks, of which large quantities are exported all over the world. There is also a superb iron foundry and engine manufactory, called the Phoenix, founded 1821 by M. Huytens Kerremans, in Ghent. Every day in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, a bell rings, to announce to the workmen, who amount in number to 1,500 and upwards, the hour of going to work. While this bell is ringing, none of the bridges are allowed to be turned, lest they should intercept the passage of the industrious artizans.

The environs of Ghent are pleasant and fertile, abounding particularly in corn, flax, madder, and tobacco. Outside the gate of Courtrai are numerous country houses, and the road is bordered with pleasure gardens. Near the Antwerp gates are still to be traced the ruins of the citadel constructed by Charles V., on the site of the abbey of St. Bavin; and in the neighbourhood of the gate of St. Lievin is found a transparent stone, resembling the flint of Fleuris.

The fairs held at Ghent commence on the 16th March, and continue for eighteen days; 10th July, seventeen days; 9th August, one day; and 3rd October, two days.

Post Office: Rue de l'Université.

A communication between the sea and Ghent exists by means of a canal, which enters the Schelde at Terneuse. This ensures all the advantages of a seaport to the city. Vessels drawing eighteen feet of water can enter the basin. About fourteen miles north, at Sas van Ghent, are sluices, by means of which the entire country can be laid under water.

GHENT TO ANTWERP, see Route 9. Six other lines run to Selzaete, Hecloo, Bruges, and Ostend; Thourout, Oudenarde, Malines, &c.; and to Brussels, via Alost, half-an-hour shorter than via Malines.

Ghent to Mechlin.-Leaving Ghent, the railway after crossing the Scheldt is carried along the south side of it. The scenery is interesting, and such as usually characterises the environs of a great and populous city, until we arrive at

Melle Station, on the Escaut. Containing a population of 1,900. The route from Brussels to Ghent, and from Ghent to Mons by Grammont here join. From this station to Wetteren the ling describes an immense curve, following the bend of

the Escaut, on whose surface can be seen the boats as they sail up and down the river.

Wetteren Station. A charming village, or rather town, the capital of a canton, situated to the right of the railway, on the right bank of the Escaut. It contains a population of about 9,000 souls. At this point the direct line to Brussels diverges to the right, forming a communication with

Alost Station (Hotels: Pays Bas; Des Trois Rois). On the river Dendre, the chief town of the district of East Flanders, said to owe its origin to a fortress built by the Goths in 411.

It was formerly the capital of what was called Imperial Flanders, and was reduced to ashes by a conflagration in 1360, and in 1667 the celebrated Marshal Turenne took and dismantled it. The town hall is a fine Gothic edifice, built in 1210, and is in excellent preservation. The collegiate Church of St. Martin was built by the same architect as the cathedral of Amiens, and contains a fine picture by Rubens, representing the "Plague of Alost." The population is about 15,000, chiefly engaged in linen, soap, and thread-lace manufactures.

Leaving Wetteren, the road crosses a viaduct, and passing along, has to the left the little villages of Cher camp and Schelle-Belle, and arrives at Wichelen, after passing the Molenbuk, a stream flowing into the Escaut.

Wichelen Station. A small commune to the right of the railway, with a population of 4,000 inhabitants. This station is the point-d'arrét for each train. On quitting this place, the railway proceeds through a rather uninteresting piece of country, and arrives at

Termonde Station, or Dendermonde.

Inns: Aigle; De la Demi-Lune.

An ancient town, said to be earlier than the time of Charlemagne. It is situated at the mouth of the river Dendre, at its confluence with the Scheldt. The inhabitants have a taste for the fine arts, and the traveller may readily obtain access to several private collections, among which we may name those of M. Schellekin and Madame ¡erlinden. David Teniers married in this town, and resided for several years. The population is about 8,100, chiefly engaged in the hemp and flax trade. It is 16 miles by railway west of Malines, and 19 from Ghent. The church of Nôtre Dame will repay a visit. It is a low, old building, sur

mounted by an octagon tower, and contains a Crucifixion and Adoration of the Shepherds, by Van Dyck, and a Virgin and Saints, by Crayer. A rail from Lokeren comes in here.

On leaving Termonde, we pass a great many pretty villages of no note, and leaving East Flanders arrive at

Malderen Station. A commune containing 1,700 inhabitants, situated at the extremity of the province of Brabant.

Capelle-au-Bois Station. A little village of no importance. Leaving at a short distance from here the province of Brabant, we enter at Hombeck the province of Antwerp. Passing the ruins of the famous valley of Seliendael, we arrive at

MECHLIN Station-(French, Malines; German, Mechlen; Flemish, Mechelen).

The Malines station is about five minutes' walk from the town, which is one of the most picturesque Flemish cities. An obelisk is here erected to mark the point where the various Belgic lines of railway diverge to Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Liége. The entrance from the railway station is fine. A line to Terneusen (p. 25) was opened 1871. Mechlin is a large town in the province of Antwerp, divided by the Dyle into two parts. It is equidistant from Brussels, Antwerp, and Louvain, and contains a population of 35,500.

The streets are broad, and bordered in many places by good buildings.

The river Dyle passes through the town, and has an ebb and flow of tide for more than a league beyond Mechlin, in the direction of Louvain.

This town dates its origin as far back as the fifth century, and was long a subject of contention between the lords of Brabant and Flanders.

The lace produced at Mechlin is considered second only to that of Brussels, from which it differs principally in being made in a single piece, by means of bobbins, by which the entire patterns are produced at once, instead of being worked gradually by the hand, and hence it is stronger than the Brussels lace, though inferior to it in delicacy of workmanship.

The principal building of Mechlin is the cathedral, which is the metropolitan church of Belgium. It is dedicated to St. Rombauld, who was assassinated by the Pagans, in 755, in the chapel of St. Stephen, which stood near the site of the present

edifice. The cathedral was commenced in the latter part of the twelfth century, but was not finished until the year 1513. The choir is of 1366; the great nave of 1487. The tower was begun 1452; and the round tower which surmounts the building, is almost entirely composed of buttresses, which give it, when seen from a distance, the appearance of a fragment of a colossal fluted column. It was built with the funds supplied by the offerings of the pilgrims, who came in crowds to Mechlin, to share the advantages of the jubilee and general indulgence proclaimed by Pope Nicholas V., on the occasion of the war in the East, which however terminated the very next year in the annihilation of the Eastern Empire, and the occupation of Constantinople by the Turks, under Mahomed. It was from this jubilee that the town acquired the name of "Malines l'heureuse," as it has since, from its great cleanliness, been named "Malines la propre," but it is now often called "la tranquille," as the grass grows in its streets. This tower, 350 feet (98 mètres) high, and has a dial plate of 144 feet in circumference. The view from the summit over the surrounding country is extensive, comprising the towns of Antwerp, Brussels, and Louvain. It was originally intended to surmount the tower by a vane of copper gilt, which would have increased the height nearly one-third but the project has never been put into execution, and the tower remains unfinished. The alarm occasioned by the reflection of the moon on this tower, which gives it the appearance of being on fire, was the origin of the proverb of the wise men of Mechlin, who try to extinguish the moon; the bare mention of which, to an inhabitant of the town, would even now excite an irritation not easily to be appeased. The interior of the cathedral presents nothing worthy of notice except the altar-piece, which is by Van Dyck, its subject is the Crucifixion. It has also paintings of Crayer, Janssens, and others. The exterior grand-front is ornamented with several statues, amongst them are Faith, Hope, Charity, and the Apostles. Its carillons or bells, which are noted, were constructed by Van der Gheyn, an artist of the eighteenth century, author of "Morceaux Fugués."

In the church of Nôtre Dame, behind the grand altar, is the Miraculous Draught of Fishes, painted by Rubens, expressly for the Guild of Fishmongers,

and considered one of his finest productions. In the same church are also a few fine pictures by Van Dyck. The traveller must take care not to confound this church with that called Nôtre Dame d'Hanswyck, which is remarkable for its beautiful cupola, and also for its carved pulpit, representing the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve. This church owes its origin to a miraculous image of the Virgin, which floated in a boat against the stream, until it arrived at the spot where the church now stands, when it approached the bank and remained firm; of course a sacred edifice to enshrine the image was immediately built; and equally, of course, the image repaid the devotion of the inhabitants by performing numerous and stupendous miracles, which soon attracted pilgrims and offerings, sufficient to repay the expense to which they had put themselves. This purpose being answered, the image no longer thought it worth while to exert its miraculous powers to protect itself, and it was destroyed by sacrilegious hands, when the town was pillaged, as above mentioned. The church formerly belonging to the Jesuits, and still bearing their name, deserves attention for its handsome Gothic front, and also for a series of paintings, forming a history of St. Francis Xavier, the Indian Missionary. In the church of St. John are four fine paintings, by Rubens, representing the Adoration of the Magi, the Birth of Christ, the Descent from the Cross, and the Resurrection. This church has also some fine wood sculpture, by Verhaegen, and a good pulpit, with a remarkable group by the sculptor Duquesnoy.

The church of the Béguinage has some good paintings by Von Loon, Crayer, Quellyn, Soyermans, &c., and a splendid ivory crucifix said to be the work of Duquesnoy.

The church of St. Catharine is chiefly remarkable on account of its paintings, some of which are good, including an Adoration, by Morille, held in high estimation by Rubens.

The streets of Mechlin are wide and handsome, particularly that called Den Bruhl, in which is the splendid hotel belonging to the Commander of Pitzembourg, of the Teutonic order. It was inhabited both by Louis XIV. and Louis XV. The magnificent garden is now open to the public.

Near the Antwerp Gate is a small convent of Béguines, which deserves attention. In the chapel are some pictures worthy of notice.

Near the Town Hall (of the fifteenth century) is the statue of the Regent Margaret, placed here 1849. Mechlin also possesses a college, a public seminary, the catholic university, as well as some societies for the cultivation of literature and the

fine arts. The principal articles manufactured here, in addition to the lace which has been before mentioned, are leather, jewellery, all kinds of woollen and cotton stuffs, hats, combs, pins, oil of colza, and flax. There are also tan yards, dyeinghouses, salt refineries, and factories for all kinds of work in copper and tin. John Bol, one of the earliest miniature painters, and Michael Coxcie, an historical painter and pupil of Raphael, and Frans Hals, were natives of this town. The boulevards and ramparts afford pleasant walks, and are the general rendezvous of the townspeople. There are two Fairs of fifteen days each, commencing the first Sunday after the 1st day of July, and the second on the 1st of October, for all kinds of merchandise; and on the Saint Saturday in October is a well-frequented horse and cattle fair.

On leaving this station for Brussels the rail crosses the Louvain Canal. On the east of the road between Malines and Vilvorde is seen the chateau of Rubens at Stein, of which he was proprietor.

Vilvorde Station. A small, healthy town, of 5,000 inhabitants, situated between Malines and Brussels. It is one of the most ancient in Belgium, and is much visited by philanthropists desirous of inspecting the great prison or Penitentiary, built in the suburbs of the town. The Church of Vilvorde contains some exquisite carvings in wood. In this town, Tindal, the first English translator of the Bible, suffered martyrdom in 1536, crying out, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes." At present this little town has acquired considerable reputation, from its possessing an excellent boarding-school for the education of young ladies; this establishment is conducted by Mademoiselles Squilliers, and the concurrent testimony of innumerable Protestant families represent it as being one of the best and most irreproachable institutions on the continent.

The route on leaving the last station takes in the view of many beautiful country seats, spread along the banks of the canal leading to Brussels. To the right, as we approach Brussels, is seen the Palace of Laeken, belonging to the King of the Belgians, now the residence of the widow of the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. This palace was originally built for the Austrian Governor of the Netherlands. It was afterwards inhabited by Napoleon, and is remarkable as being the place where he planned his Russian campaign. It is enclosed by magnificent gardens and a park, and is 3 miles from Brussels. The late queen, Louise Marie, is buried here (1850). A statue of Madame Malibran is erected in the cemetery at Laeken, where she is buried, her husband having brought her body from Manchester, at which place she died, to be interred here. The statue is by Geefs. and is placed in a kind of temple. A beautiful and lengthy avenue of trees (l'allée vert) extends from Laeken to Brussels. The railroad traverses the opposite side of the canal and near the Botanical Gardens, opposite the Rue Neuve at the Port de Cologne, enters

Via Mouscron, Tournay, Ath, and Jurbise. Distance, 84 English miles. The direct rail to Tournay is via Blandain on the frontier.

Roubaix, Tourcoing, and Mouscron Stations, described in previous route, are first passed At the latter place travellers for Tournay change carriages, and luggage is examined.

Leaving MorsCRON, we quit the line from that place to Lille, and find ourselves on the branch one leading to Tournay. To the left is Herscaux. at the extreme point of the frontier, rising to the south-east by the province of Hainault, or Hennegau in Flemish, into which the road enters, verging for some miles towards the French frontier. Leaving the village of Estampuis to the left, and that of Watreloos and its church to the right, both the latter of which are in France, the road passes the hamlets of Fournette, Jonquières, and Esetaimbourg, the capital of a commune, and arrives at Nechin Station, a place of no importance. The next place is

Templeuve Station. A town containing 3,000 inhabitants. As we approach Tournay, we see to the right the village of Froyennes, the faubourg de Main, and the beautiful promenade of the Seven Sisters, all forming a splendid panorama. Advancing on, the railway crosses the Scheldt by a splendid viaduct of many arches. Look to the right; what an admirable entrance to the town! A beautiful coup d'œil is formed by the bridges, towers, houses, and rivers, all identified with some historical event, The terminus is approached, and we arrive at the station, on the Quay Escaut. Tournay Station.

Hotels: De Belle Vue; De l'Imperatrice; Du Singe d'Or.

A Belgian city, in the province of Hainault. The town itself is indifferently built, and has a gloomy aspect; it contains a population of nearly 1,000, who are engaged in the manufacture of cotton and woollen stuffs. The workmen labour t home, instead of in factories. Of the public buildings, that of the Cathedral is the most celebrated; it is one of the most ancient and curious in the country. The internal ornaments are numecous. The choir is of a remarkably bold and striking nature; the pulpit is a gem, by Gilis, and the hrine of St. Eleu Marcus a masterpiece of worknanship in gold. There is also a beautiful gallery, by Lecroux, of Tournay, and four genii, the gems of the place, by Duquesnoy. The pictures are, a Purgatory, by Rubens, and a Crucifixion, by Jordaens.

The churches of St. Quentin, St. Piat, and St. James are interesting specimens of the primitive othic style. The Church of St. Nicholas de Chateau is of remarkable architecture, and possesses some fine pictures.

Henry VIII. captured Tournay in 1518, and bestowed it upon Cardinal Wolsey, who yielded it ip to Francis I., and persuaded his royal master to sell the town to the French King, influenced by the promised interest of that monarch to obtain his elevation to the papacy.

The Public Library contains 20,000 volumes, and several curious manuscripts. The cabinet of natural history, in the museum at the Hotel de Ville, is worthy of notice.

Post Office.Rue Notre Dame,