Except in some of the older parts

it is well built, and has a number of fine promenades and many notable buildings. Among the latter are the cathedral of St. Bavon, dating from the 18th century; the church of St. Nicholas, the oldest in Ghent; the church of St. Michael, with a celebrated Crucifixion by Vandyk; the university, a handsome modern structure, with a library of about 100,000 volumes and 700 manuscripts; the City Hall, the belfry, a lofty square tower surmounted by a gilded dragon, and containing chimes of 44 bells; the new Court House; the Marche du Vendredi, an extensive square, interesting as the scene of many important historical events; and Les Beguinages, extensive nunneries founded in the 18th century, the principal occupation of whose members is lace-making. Ghent has long been celebrated as a manufacturing town, especially for its cotton and linen goods and lace. Ghent was mentioned as a town in the 7th century. In the 9th century Baldwin, the first Count of Flanders, built a fortre here against the Normans. Under the counts of Flanders Ghent continued to increase. Two great revolts took place under the leadership of the Van Arteveldes (1888 and 1369) against Burgundy, and again in the 16th century against Charles V., and the citizens of Ghent, besides losing their privileges, had to pay for the erection of a citadel intended to keep them in bondage. In 1792 the Netherlands felk under the power of France, and Ghent became the capital of the department of Escaut (Scheldt). In 1814 it became, along with Flanders, part of the Netherlands, till the separation of Belgium and Holland. Americans gratefully remember the sympathy expre ed by the magistrates of Ghent at the time of the treaty of peace which terminated the War of 1812. Pop. (1900) 160,949.