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Rh built in the 13th century. Inside the church the lofty and massive stone pillars are majestic in their simplicity, and the lofty windows of stained glass are remarkably fine. The altar also shews exquisite carving on wood for which Belgium pulpits are famous. Opposite the Cathedral is the handsome Banque Nationale of Brussels. Proceeding further north by the Rue Royale we come to the Colonne du Congress to our left, a Doric column 147 feet high and surmounted by the statue of the king in bronze, erected to commemorate the congress of 1831, by which the present constitution of Belgium was established. A little further northwards we come to the point where the Rue Royale meets the circle of Boulevards spoken of above. But the Rue goes beyond this circle, further northwards, as far as the lofty and gilded church of Sante Marie de Schaerbeck which closes Rue Royale in the north, as the Palais du Justice closes its continuation the Rue de la Regence in the south.

These are the most conspicuous places in the eastern or upper town. The western portion of the town is on a far lower level and all the streets therefore from the east to the west go down hill. The Flemish language is still spoken in the lower town while French is generally spoken in the upper town.

The most interesting spot in the lower town is the historic square and structure of the Hotel de Ville. The Hotel de Ville of Ghent is a noble and fine specimen of Gothic architecture, but that at Brussels has a still nobler