BETHUNE

a town of France, in the department of Pas de Calais, capital of an arrondi ement same name, 19 miles N.y.w. of Arras. It stands a rock washed by the Brette, and is a plAce sider able strengtiL The appearance of the not prepo e ing. The houses are ill built and streets are bad. There is, however, one fine the centre of which is occupied by an ancient of remarkable construction, while the hotel-de-ville, among the best edifices in ^e town, forms one sides. The chief manufactures are oil, soap, doth. There are also distilleries, tanneries, and and sugar refineries. The trade is greatly favoured by the canals of Lawe and Ba ^, which meet and form a fine basin. The family of the lords Bethune is very celebrated, and a branch of established in Scotland about the end of the century. To this branch the t)erBecutor Cardinal Beaton belonged. Pop. 8178.