a fortified city of the Netherlands, in the province of West Flanders, and arrondissement of Furner.

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1 Niebuhr had conceived high expectations of the administration of M. de Martignac, who appeared to him the only man destined to realise the conception of M. de Serre, and to rally all Frenchmen round a dynasty which it was the duty of all good men loyally to support as long as it remained faithful to its oaths. He accused of bad faith, both those who opposed to this ministry old obstinacy and the prejudices of the court, and also those who prevailed on the chamber to refuse its support to the discussion of the departmental law. He had unbounded esteem for the fine talents and noble character of this statesman, and was more proud of the approbation which M. de Martignac had expressed of his Roman History, than of any other testimony in its favour. The environs are unhealthy, from the low situation, which by the facility of inundation, forms one of the chief means of defence. It is situated at the mouth of the Iser, by which it has water communication with Dunkirk, Bruges, and Ypres. It contains 2600 inhabitants, who are chiefly occupied in the herring and cod fisheries. Long. 2° 39' E. Lat. 51° 7' N.