a rich and strong town, in the kingdom of the Netherlands, in the province of Flanders, in E. Long. 3° 30'. 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, the streets wide and handsome, and it contained 4000 inhabitants in 1800. 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 trade in fine linen and tapestry, and is the capital of a castellany, which contains 33 villages. The French laid siege to it in 1798, which brought on an obstinate engagement, wherein they were defeated by the allies under the command of the duke of Marlborough. It was taken by the French in 1794, and remained under their power till 1814.