AUGS'BURG, historically one of the most in Germany, is situated in the angle between the rivers Wertach and Lech, and is the chief city of the circle of Swabia and Nenbnrg, in Bavaria. The pop. is (1875) 57,210. Though presenting an antique and rather deserted appearance, A. has numerous fine buildings, and especially one noble street, the "imperial" Maximilian Strasse, adorned with bronze fountains. The industry of A. is reviving; several cotton and woolen factories are in operation, as well as manufactories of paper, tobacco, and machinery. Its gold and silver wares still retain their ancient reputation. The art of copper engraving is extinct; but printing, lithog and bookselling have taken a new start. The Allgoncine Zeilung, the most widely circulated paper in Germany, is published here. In 1870. there were 10 tirinting establishments and 34 bookshops. There are 74 breweries. Banking and stock-jobbing are extensively carried on; and it is still the emporium of the trade with Italy and southern Germany. It is the center of a system of railways connecting it withiNiirn berg and Leipsie, with Switzerland, Munich, etc. The foundation of A. was the "colony" planted by the emperor Augustus, 12 13.C., after the conquest of the Vindelici, probably on the site of a former residence of that people. It was called Augusta lin. delkopunt, and hence the present name. It became the capital of the province of lihretia, was laid waste by the Huns in the 5th c., and came next under the dominion of the Frankish kings. In the war of Charlemagne with Thassilo of Bavaria, it was again
destroyed. After the division of Charlemagne's empire, it came under the duke of Swabia; but having become already rich by commerce, was able to purchase gradually many privileges, and finally became, in 1276, a free city of the empire. It now rose to greater consequence than ever, and had reached the summit of its prosperity by the end of the 14th century. About this time (1368). its aristocratic government was set aside for a democratic, which lasted for 170 years, till the aristocracy, favored by Charles V., regained the ascendency. A. continued in great eminence for its commerce, manufac tures, and art, till the war between Charles Y. and the Protestant league of Schmalkald (1540). Along with Niirnberg it formed the emporium of the trade between northern Europe and the south, and its merchants were princes whose ships were in all seas. See FtmoEn. It was also the center of German art as represented by the Holbeins, Burk mair, Altdorfer, and others. Many diets of the empire were held in A., and the leading events of the reformation are associated with its name. The discovery of the road to India by the cape, and of America, turned the commerce of the world into new chaLnels, and dried up the sources of A.'a prosperity. It lost its freedom with the abolition of the German empire in 1806, and was taken possession of by Bavaria.