a rich and strong town of the Austrian Netherlands, in the province of Flanders, in E. Long. 3 32. N. Lat. 50. 54. fifteen miles south of Ghent, and eighteen from Tournay. It is a large well fortified town, having a very considerable fort in the middle of it, situated on the river Scheldt, which divides it into two parts. It is almost encompassed by meadows, only there is a hill which commands it on the south side. The buildings are pretty good, and the streets wide and handsome. The market-place is adorned with a beautiful town house, and a fine large fountain. There are several good churches and monasteries well worthy of the notice of travellers. The town has a very flourishing trade in fine linen and tapestry, and is the capital of a castellany, which contains 33 villages. The French laid siege to it in 1708, which brought on an obstinate engagement, wherein they were defeated by the allies under the command of the duke of Marlborough. It was besieged by the French again in 1744, and taken in a few days; but it was restored at the general peace.