Breslau

Breslau, Prussian town about 200 miles S.E. of Berlin, capital of the province of Silesia, on the left bank of the Oder, is divided into the Old and the New town, and has seven suburbs. It is the seat of a prince-bishopric, and has some fine churches, besides the cathedral, a celebrated university, and many educational establishments. There are important manufactures, including cannon-founding, arsenals, goldsmiths' work, engines, tobacco, spirits, liqueurs, and chemicals; and the trade of the city is remarkably active owing to its situation in the centre of the most productive manufacturing province of Prussia, and to the facility of communication. The chief objects of commerce are metal ores from the Silesian mines, wood, cloth, wool, and linen. The June and October wool fairs of Breslau are the most important on the Continent. The 12th century cathedral of St. John is noted for the delicacy and graceful proportions of its architecture. On the principal door of finely-carved oak is a representation of Joseph sold by his brethren; and inside are some fine statues, including one of St. Elizabeth by Ercole Fioretti. The town hall is a curious example of 14th century architecture. Founded in the 10th century, Breslau was by turns Polish, Bohemian, and Austrian, till, in the 18th century, it was twice taken by Frederick II. In 1807 the French took it, and blew up the fortifications, whose site is now occupied by boulevards. From Breslau in 1813 Frederick William III. of Prussia issued his celebrated appeal to the Prussian people, which aroused them against the French domination.