Photo by E;mil P. Albrecht 

 ThD church of ST. NICHOI.AS FROM THF FAST, ONF OF THF OFDFST BUILDINGS IN 

 GHFNT, FOUNDFD IN THF EFFVFNTH CFNTURY AND RFBUILT ABOUT 

 THF BEGINNING OF THF THIRTFFNTH 



Ghent is the capital of East Flanders, at the confluence of the Scheldt and the Lys 

 rivers. These rivers and a number of canals divide the city into numerous islands, which 

 are connected by more than 200 bridges. The Belfry of Ghent is a tall structure in the 

 heart pi the city, in which are mounted 44 bells ; one of them was pierced by an Austrian 

 shell in 1789, but in spite of this its tone remains true. One of Ghent's most interesting 

 institutions is the Grand Beguinage, or home of the Dutch Sisterhood of Sainte Elisabeth. 

 It is a small city within itself, containing many small houses, 18 convents, and a church, and 

 all surrounded with a wall and a moat. Ghent was the seat of the Count of Flanders. The 

 churches and the public buildings are full of rare paintings. A great exposition was held 

 there in 1913, in which most of the countries now at war participated. The population is 

 approximately 175,000. 



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