a rich and strong town of Austrian Flanders, in the middle of which there is a considerable fort. The river Scheld runs across this place with its environs, whose soil is very fertile, and forms a considerable chatellany. They have here a manufacture of very fine linen and curious tapestry. This town was besieged by the French in 1708; but they were obliged to raise the siege by the duke of Marlborough and prince Eugene, who entirely defeated their army, killing 3000 on the spot, and taking 7000 prisoners. E. Long. 3° 42'. N. Lat. 50° 49'.

OVERBURY (Sir Thomas), a learned and worthy English gentleman, was born in 1581; and studied at Queen's college, Oxford, after which he removed to the Middle temple London. He afterwards travelled for some time, and returned a most accomplished per- Overbury's son; when he contracted an intimate acquaintance with Sir Robert Carr, knight of the bath, who being soon after taken into his majesty's favour, had Mr Overbury knighted at Greenwich. Sir Thomas perceiving the familiarity which subsisted between his patron Carr, now made viscount Rochester, and the lady Frances, the wife of Robert earl of Essex, was so much displeased at it, that he endeavoured to dissuade him from keeping her company, and from proceeding in the base design he had formed of having her first divorced from her husband, and then marrying her. The viscount, resenting this honest advice, told what he had said to the lady, who was as remarkable for her wickedness as for her beauty; on which they immediately resolved on his destruction. About this time, the king wanting to send an ambassador abroad, the viscount recommended Sir Thomas Overbury. His majesty approving the choice, the viscount imparted the king's intentions to Sir Thomas; but, under a treacherous shew of friendship, dissuaded him from accepting of that employment, as it might hinder him from a better way of advancement; promising that he would prevent his majesty from being displeased at his refusal. The viscount then went to the king, and artfully incensing his majesty against Sir Thomas for refusing to obey his commands, that gentleman was committed to the tower for his contempt, on the 21st of April 1613, where he continued till he was dispatched by poison on the 15th of September following, and his body was interred in the tower-chapel the same day. About two years after, the whole contrivance of his death was discovered. On this several persons were condemned and executed; but tho' Carr, earl of Somerset, and the lady Frances his countess, were condemned to death for contriving the murder, and hiring the persons who were concerned in it, the king only banished them from court, and afterwards pardoned them. Sir Thomas Overbury wrote several poems, &c. and an account of his travels.