step before the doors
of the compartments, just as the train entered the station.

"I suppose that means Ghent," said Paul.

"Yes; Gand is the French name of the place," replied Dr. Winstock.
"There are many cities in Europe which you would not recognize by their
foreign appellations."

As the train stopped the whistle of the Young America's boatswain called
the students together, and Mr. Lowington told them they could stay only
two hours in the place.

"Ghent is situated at the junction of the River Lys with the Scheldt,"
said Professor Mapps, who, to the astonishment of the boys, seemed to be
plumed for a lecture. "The numerous branches of these rivers, either
natural or artificial, form canals which extend in all directions
through the city. The town may be said to be composed of twenty-six
islands, which are connected together by no less than eighty bridges.
The grand canal extends from the lower Scheldt to the town, by means of
which ships drawing eighteen feet can come up to the basin. All these
canals are navigable for boats or vessels. It is surrounded by a wall
seven or eight miles in extent, for its defence. On the grand canal,
half way between the city and the West Scheldt, there are sluices, by
which the whole country could be laid under water in case of invasion by
an enemy.

"Ghent has been called the Manchester of Belgium, on account of its
being so largely engaged in cotton manufactures. Its factories are
operated by steam power. The population in 1863 was one hundred and
twenty-two thousand. The cultivation of flowers is largely carried on
here, there being about four hundred hot-houses in the immediate
vicinity of the city.

"Ghent is a very old city, and occupies a prominent place in history. In
the days of Charles the Bold it was the capital of Flanders. Charles V.,
Emperor of Germany, was born here. It was formerly a city of vast
importance, and at one time its wealth and power had increased to such
an extent, that it was regarded as the rival of Paris. '_Je mettrais
Paris dans mon Gand_,' Charles V. used to say, as he proudly
contemplated this great city. What does it mean?"

"I could put Paris into my glove," replied one of the French scholars
near the professor. "But _gant_ is the French word for _glove_."

"Near enough for a pun, and much nearer than modern punsters often get
it," continued Mr. Mapps. "Ghent, in former days, had the reputation of
being a turbulent city, and its people