I cannot venture to hope that handbooks containing such a mass of facts as these will be wholly free from errors and misstatements, above all in early editions. I can only beg those who may detect any such to point them out, without unnecessary harshness, to the author, care of the publisher, and if possible to assign reasons for any dissentient opinion. GRANT ALLEN C O N T E N T S PAGE PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION 5 INTRODUCTION 6 HOW TO USE THESE GUIDE-BOOKS 12 ORIGINS OF THE BELGIAN TOWNS 13 ORDER OF THE TOUR 20 I BRUGES— _A._ Origins of Bruges 22 _B._ The Heart of the City 25 _C._ The Hospital of St. John 35 _D._ The Town in General 45 _E._ The Churches 49 _F._ The Academy 59 II GHENT— _A._ Origins of Ghent 66 _B._ The Core of Ghent 69 _C._ The Cathedral 77 _D._ The Outskirts 90 III BRUSSELS— _A._ Origins of Brussels 98 _B._ The Heart of Brussels 100 _C._ The Picture Gallery 105 _D._ The Cathedral 138 _E._ The Upper Town 145 _F._ Surroundings 156 IV ANTWERP— _A._ Origins of Antwerp 164 _B._ The Cathedral 168 _C._ The Picture Gallery 176 _D._ The Town in General 205 V HISTORICAL NOTES 217 INDEX 229 HOW TO USE THESE GUIDEBOOKS