WARSAW, formerly the capital of Poland (q.v.), now capital of the Russian, or rather Russianized, government of Warsaw, stands on the left bank of the Vistula, about 300 m. e. of Berlin by railway, Lat. of observatory, 52° 13' n., long. 21° 2' cast. It stands partly on a plain, partly on rising ground sloping upward from the left bank of the river, extends over a wide area, and consists of the city proper, and a number of sub urbs, several of which are beautifully built. A bridge of boats 1626 ft. long connects Warsaw with the suburb of Praga. on the right bank of the Vistula. The streets are mostly narrow, though in several instances they are broad and handsome. The Vistula. at Warsaw is broad, shallow, and ever-changing in its sandy course, and is navigable for large vessels only when, after thaw, rivers of melted snow pour down into it from the Carpathians, or when it is swelled by the autumn rains. But the only craft seen here on the Vistula are rude rafts, usually laden with wheat, which they convey to Danzig by river, and (within the last few years) steamers at intervals. Seen from Praga, on the right bank, the castle, standing on a steep ascent, has a most imposing effect. Attached to the Saxon palace are a spacious court and gardens, which are con sidered the finest promenade in the city. Among the other buildings there are nearly
30 palaces; the cathedral of St. John (dating from 1250), a Gothic building of great beauty, containing statuettes and many interesting monuments, among which is one by Thorwaldsen; the Lutheran church, the loftiest building in Warsaw, and numerous other places of worship, including synagogues. There are several large and memorable squares, as the Sigismund square, containing the monument, erected by Ladislas IV., in honor of his father, Sigismund III. In this square, in April 8, 1861, 40 unarmed and unresisting Poles were massacred. The citadel, erected by the emperor Nicholas, for the express purpose of intimidating, and, if necessary destroying the city, commands, from its situation, every part of Warsaw. The university, broken up by the emperor Nicholas after the insurrection of 1830, was re-established by decree, 1864, through the influence of the grand duke Constantine; and besides this institution, there are several minor colleges, gymnasiums, etc. Woolen and linen fabrics, chemicals, sugar, and leather are manufactured. Pop. '77, 308,548 (50,000 being Jews).—The government of Warsaw has an area of 5,600 sq.m., and pop. of '70, 925,639. For the history of War saw, see POLAND, Joni III., etc.