Mons

Mons, a Belgian town, capital of Hainault, on the river Trouille (crossed by four bridges) 27 miles S.E. of Tournai. It was once strongly-fortified, but its fortifications, like those of other Belgian towns, have been demolished, and their place is occupied by boulevards. The chief buildings are the fine churches of St. Wandru and St. Elizabeth, and the Gothic 15th-century town-hall, and there are hospitals, arsenal, court-house, school of arts, theatre. academy of music, and many educational establishments. The chief industries are the manufacture of linens, woollens, cotton, muslin, cutlery and firearms, and brewing and bleaching are carried on. A canal connects the town with the Scheldt, a great convenience for the trade in coal, stone, marble, horses, cattle, and corn. Mons is in the Belgian coal district, and from two to three millions of tons are annually raised in the neighbourhood, and much of this passes through the town.