a province of Belgium, is bounded on the N. by South Brabant, E. by Liège and Luxemburg, S. by France, and W. by Hainault. Its length from N. to S. is 55 miles, greatest breadth 45; area 1409 square miles. The surface of the province is much varied by hill and dale, and in some parts, especially in the valley of the Meuse, between Namur and Liège, the scenery is extremely beautiful and romantic. The principal rivers are the Meuse, and its tributary the Sambre, which joins it at Namur; the former flowing from the S., and the latter from the E. In a geological view, nearly the whole of this country belongs to the Carboniferous system, and contains strata of limestone, sandstone, coal, and iron. The iron mines of Namur are very rich, and employ a large proportion of the industry of the province. There were in 1855, 25 coal-pits in this province, producing coal to the value of L74,000. Lead mines are also worked to some extent; and building-stone, slate, and marble are quarried. The soil for the most part consists of a rich marl of no great depth. It is very fertile, and well cultivated; about one-half of the whole extent being under cultivation, and one-third occupied by wood. Wheat, rye, oats, barley, fruits, hemp, flax, and chicory are the principal crops raised in some parts; vines are also grown. Oak, beech, ash, horn-beam, birch, and hazel, are the principal trees in the forests; and these supply excellent timber, and wood for fuel. The forests of the province abound in game, and the rivers in fish. Large numbers of horses are reared, which are strong and of good breed. The principal manufacture of Namur is cutlery, for which the province is famed; and trade is actively carried on. The province is divided into three arrondissements,—namely, Dinant, Namur, and Philippeville; and had in 1856 a population of 286,075.

(Flem. Naemen, Germ. Namen), a town of Belgium, capital of the province of that name, is situated at the confluence of the Meuse and the Sambre, 35 miles S.E. of Brussels. Defended by walls of considerable thickness, by well-constructed outworks on both sides of the rivers, and by a castle which stands on a rocky eminence at their junction, it is a place of great strength. The streets are broad and clean, and there are several fine squares. The houses are well built of stone, and covered with slates. There are two bridges, one across each river; and the town is entered by 11 gates. The cathedral of Namur is a fine modern building in the Corinthian style, adorned in front with several statues in white marble. In the interior the most remarkable objects are the statues of St Peter and St Paul, on each side of the great altar; and the pulpit, which is adorned with very fine carving in oak. This church contains the tomb of Don John of Austria, natural son of Charles V., and famous as the conqueror of the Turks at the battle of Lepanto. The church of St Loup is also a fine building, richly adorned in the interior with marble and carving in stone. Namur contains several other churches, a town-hall, several schools, an atheneum, an academy of painting, and a public library; a deaf-and-dumb asylum, and other charitable institutions; a penitentiary, arsenal, barracks, &c. The manufactures are considerable, and of these, cutlery is the principal; so that the town has been called the Sheffield of Belgium. Its productions in this branch of industry are more nearly equal in quality to those of Sheffield than those of any other town on the Continent. The manufacture of leather is also largely carried on; and a great number of the inhabitants are employed in the mines and quarries of the neighbourhood. The situation of Namur gives it great commercial advantages; and a consider- NAN

Nancy able export trade is carried on. Steamers ply on the Meuse as far up as Liège, with which town Namur is also connected by railway, as well as with Brussels and Paris. Namur has suffered much from the ravages of war. It was taken by Louis XIV. in 1692, an event which was recorded by Racine, and celebrated in verse by Boileau; but was recovered in 1695 by the British and Dutch under William III., after a siege of ten months. The fortifications were destroyed in 1784 by Joseph II. of Austria; but restored and strengthened in 1817 under the inspection of the Duke of Wellington. Pop. 22,218.