a large, rich, handsome, and strong town of French Flanders, of which it is the capital, with a strong castle, and a citadel built by Vauban, and said to be the finest in Europe, as well as the best fortified. The large square, and the public buildings, are very handsome; and they have manufactures of silks, cambrics, and camblets, as well as other stuffs, which have been brought to great perfection. It was taken by the duke of Marlborough, after three months siege and the loss of many thousands of men, in 1708; but restored to the French by the treaty of Utrecht, in consideration of their demolishing the fortifications of Dunkirk. It is seated on the river Ducle, 14 miles west of Tournay, 32 south-west of Ghent, 37 north-west of Mons, and 150 north of Paris, E. Long. 3° 9'. N. Lat. 50° 38'.

(Claudius de), a learned historiographer, born at Vaucouleurs, in 1644. He studied among the Jesuits at Pontamousson; took his degrees in law, and afterwards applied himself entirely to the study of history and geography; and to perfect himself in those sciences went to Paris, where the principal lords of the court became his scholars, and among the rest the duke of Orleans, afterwards regent of the kingdom. He wrote, 1. An historical account of the kingdom of Siam. 2. A genealogical and historical Atlas. 3. An abridgement of universal history. He died at Paris in 1720.

(William de), son of the former, and the most learned geographer France has produced, was born at Paris in 1675. He became first geographer to the king, royal censor, and member of the academy of sciences. He died in 1726. He published a great number of excellent maps, and wrote many pieces in the memoirs of the academy of sciences.

(Sir John), a brave loyalist in the time of the civil wars, was the son of a bookeller in London, and received his education in the Netherlands. He signalized himself upon many occasions in the civil war, particularly in the last battle of Newbury; where, in the dark of the evening, he led his men to the charge in his shirt, that his person might be more conspicuous. The king, who was an eye-witness of his bravery, knighted him in the field of battle. In 1648, he rose for his majesty in Essex; and was one of the royalists who so obstinately defended Colchester, and who died for the defence of it. This brave man having tenderly embraced the corps of Sir Charles Lucas, his departed friend, immediately presented himself to the soldiery who stood ready for his execution. Thinking that they stood at too great a distance, he desired them to come nearer: one of them said, "I warrant you, Sir, we shall hit you." He replied with a smile, "Friends, I have been nearer you when you have missed me." He was executed August 28th 1648.