WURTZ, HENRY, b. Penn., 1828; graduated at Princeton. 1848. and studied science at the Lawrence scientific school, Cambridge. In 1850 he had charge of the laboratory of the Sheffield scientific school of Yale, and has subsequently been professor of chem istry at Queens college, Canada, and the National medical college of Washington, I). C., and chemical examiner in the U. S. patent office. Prof. Wurtz has published many papers in scientific periodicals, and has made important scientific discoveries, such as the use of sodium in amalgamating the ores of precious metals.
WiilIZBURG, a former sovereign bishopric or ecclesiastical principality of the Ger man empire, was founded in 741 (according to other accounts, 742 or 746), and received endow frOin the ankish kings, which were afterward increased by the German emperors. The first liilshop was Burkhardt, who was consecrated by Boniface. The patron saint was Kilian (q.v.), who is said to have preached the gospel here as early as 688. By good management and economy, the bishops were able to acquire numerous possessions of the 'neighboring Frankish proprietors;. and out of these was gradually formed the extensive sovereign bishopric of Wfirzburg, ruled over by the prince-bishop as duke of Franconia. The ducal title and authority were first conceded about 1120. In spiritual matters, the bishops were under tha archbishop of Mainz. The area of the bishopric was as much as 1827 sq.m., with a pop. of 250,000, and a yearly revenue of 500,000 guldens. At the peace of Luneville (1801), the bishopric of Wurzburg, like the other spiritual principalities of Germany, was secularized; and in 1803, the greater part of it was conferred ou the elector of Bavaria as a secular principality. The last prince bishop received a pension, and died at Bamberg in 1808. At the peace of Presburg (1805), Bavaria gave up Wurzburg to the grand duke Ferdinand of Tuscany, and the principality was raised to the dignity of an electorate. In 1806, the elector Ferdinand. joined the confederation of the Rhine, and from that time took the title of grand duke Wiirabrg. By a. decree of the Vienna congress, the grand duke received his heredi tary state of Tuscany, and Wiirzburg reverted to Bavaria. At present the greater part. of the bishopric belongs to the circle of Lower Franconia.
WijRZBURG, capita] of the former principality of Wurzburg, now of the t aVariart circle of Lower Franconia, is situated in a beautiful valley on both sides of the over which there is a stone bridge 600 ft. long, of 8 arches. The number of inhabitants amounts to (1875) 44,984, of whom 6,200 are Protestants. Among the public buildings, the most distinguished arc the Episcopal palace or residence, rebuilt 1720 44, one of the most magnificent royal residences in the world; and the spacious and excellently fitted-up Julius hospital, established in 1576. Of the numerous churches, the most worthy of
notice are the richly decorated cathedral, which was rebuilt in the 11th and following centuries; the Marien-kapelle, one of the most beautiful monuments of old German art, with 14 statues of the 15th c. by Tilmann Riemenschneider; and the Neumfinster church, containing the bones of St. Kilian. The streets adjoining the palace square are wide and straight, but most of the others are narrow and crooked. In front of the Julius hospital there is a bronze statue of the founder, bishop Julius, by Wiedemann, founded in bronze by Miller; a monument of Walther von der Vogelweide (q.v.)stands in a niche outside the Neumtinster kirche.
The university of Wilrzburg was founded in 1582 by bishop Julius, who also founded the hospital above mentioned. The endowments for both institutions were taken from the possessions of the convents that were destroyed during the peasant war (q.v.). In order to promote the study of medicine, the hospital was put in connection with the university, the professors of medicine being made physicians and surgeons to the hospital; this con nection has all along kept the medical faculty in high reputation, and promoted the prosperity of the university as a whole. The present medical staff includes several names of European reputation, among others, Kolliker (q.v.). All the professors of the theological faculty are thoroughgoing Infallibilists. There is also a faculty of political economy. In the summer session 1878, there were 941 matriculated students. The library contains above 100,000 vols. In the musical institute, any one can receive instruction gratis in singing or in playing on any instrument; and twice a week there are great musical pieces performed. InlYtirzburg, besides the university, there is a gymnasium, a Latin school, a district agricultural and trade school, a seminary for Catholic priests, and a seminary for training teachers, an orthopedic institution, a veterinary school, a school for midwifery, a swimming school, a society for the improve ment of the arts and manufactures, and a female society for the encouragement of skill in arts and handicrafts among women. Besides the Julius hospital, there are asylums for the deaf and dumb and for the blind, and other charitable institutions. The manu factures are woolen stuffs and cloth, mirror-glass, leather, tobacco, railway carriages, and sparkling wines. The fortress of Marienberg, built on the site where Drusus founded a castle, is situated on a hill 400 ft. high on the left bank of the Maine, outside the town. The campaign of the Prussian army of the Main ended with an action fought before Wfirzburg, July 27, 1866. The fortifications have been demolished. The industry of Wurzburg has greatly prospered during the last ten years.