ALBANY, the capital of New York, United States, is situated on the w. bank of the Hudson river, 145 m. n. of New York city, in lat. 42°39' n., and long. 73° 45' w. After Jamestown,Virginia, and St. Augustine in Florida, it is the oldest town in the Union, hav ing been founded by the Dutch in 1623, though it did not receive its present appellation until 1664, when it-came into the possession of the English, and was so named in honor of the duke of York and Albany. It is situated in the midst of a fertile and well-cultivated country, and is one of the most flourishing cities in the states, being the chief emporium for the transit-trade of the coast towns with those of the n. and n.w. It is advantageously built for commerce, being situated at the point where the Erie and Champlain canals join the Hudson. It is also the center in which a number of railways meet, connecting it with New York, Buffalo, Boston, and other important cities. One of the most important articles in its commerce is timber. It is one of the largest timber-markets in the world; receiving yearly many millions of cubic ft., valued at over $7,000,000. In the year 1873,
the total number of vessels which belonged to the port was 586, and their tonnage amounted to 68,682 tons; of this number of vessels, 101 were steamers. Viewed from some parts of the river, A. has a picturesque and imposing appearance. Its streets are not generally very regular, or its houses very elegant; nevertheless, it contains some of the most splendid edifices in the Union. The capitol, erected at great cost, in the renais sance style, is one of the finest public buildings in America. The city hall is built of marble, and ornamented with a gilded dome. A. is distinguished for its educational and literary institutions. The university, incorporated in 1852, has for its aim the discipline of the American youth in the most important branches of practical science. The medi cal college, founded in 1839, has one of the best museums in the states, and is otherwise amply furnished with the means of instruction. There is likewise a large number of public schools.