In a recess of this market-place, stands the wonder of Ghent, “_la merveille de Gand_,” an enormous cannon of the fourteenth century, used by Philip van Artevelde, at the siege of Audenarde in 1382; but how it was ever dragged to the field, or manœuvred in the action, is one of the enigmas of ancient warfare, as it is upwards of eighteen feet long, ten inches in the diameter of the bore, and weighs thirty-nine thousand pounds. It is made of malleable iron, and is mentioned by Froissart as discharging balls during the siege, with a report which “was heard at five leagues distance by day, and ten by night,” and sounded as if “_tous les diables d’enfer fussent en chemin_.” It was brought from Audenarde to Ghent, having, I presume, been left upon the field by the discomfited Flemings. Its popular soubriquet is “_Dulle Greite_,” or Mad Margaret, in compliment to a Countess of Flanders, of violent memory, who is still known by the traditional title of “the Black Lady,” given to her by her subjects. These and a thousand similar records and memorials of the olden time, render a stroll through the streets of Ghent, one of singular interest and amusement; and, perhaps, there is no city of Europe which more abounds in these relics of local history, or has preserved so many characteristics of manners and customs in keeping with its associations of the past. CHAPTER III. GHENT. Manufacture of machinery in Ghent--Great works of the Phœnix--Exertions of the King of Holland to promote this branch of art--His success--Policy of England in permitting the export of tools--Effect of their prohibiting the export of machines upon the continental artists--Present state of the manufactures in Belgium--_The Phœnix_, its extent, arrangements and productions--_The canal of Sas de Gand_--_The Beguinage_--Tristam Shandy--The churches of Ghent--Religious animosity of the Roman Catholics--_The cathedral of St. Bavon_--Chef-d’œuvre of Van Eyck--Candelabra of Charles I--Carved pulpit--_Church of St. Michael_--Vandyck’s crucifixion--The The brotherhood of St. Ivoy--Church of St. Sauveur--Singular picture in the church of St. Peter--Dinner at M. Grenier’s--Shooting with the bow--Roads in Belgium--Domestic habits of the Flemings--The Flemish language--_Count d’Hane_--Mansion of the Countess d’Hane de Steenhausen--Gallery of M. Schamps--_The University_ of Ghent--State of primary education in Belgium.