3-046-933 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Belfry, Ghent, 1872. 'The view from the Belfry Tower, which is 280 ft. high, with an iron spire painted to look like stone, commands the whole of Ghent. On the summit of this tower, in the turbulent ages of its past history, the citizens kept watch and ward against the possible approach of an enemy. Their tocsin-bell, Roland, is inscribed with a rhyme, which signified that its use was to summon the people, by slowly tolling, to help in putting out a fire; or, by a more vehement peal, to gird on their swords and bring their lances and cross-bows to the defence of the city when attacked by some of its inveterate foes. Ghent led a wild life in its youth; but it is a peaceable town in these days, like the rest of the kingdom of Belgium'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.