ERLAU (Hung. Eger), an episcopal city of Hungary, in the co. of Heves, of which it is capital, is situated on both banks of the river Erlau, in a delightful valley skirted with vine-clad hills. It is surrounded by old walls, pierced by six gates; has four suburbs, in which the greater portion of the inhabitants dwell; and although in general its streets are narrow and•ave a neglected appearance, it is rich in fine public buildings. The principal of these are the lyceum, with a valuable library, and an observatory 172 ft. high; the recently built cathedral, the episcopal palace, the Franciscan and the Minorite monasteries, a richly embellished Greek church, a county hall, and the new barracks. E. has also a gymnasium, an episcopal seminary, a normal and drawing school, a hospital founded in 1730, which possesses a capital of nearly 400,000 guilders, and other important institutions. The two baths, the Turkenliad and the Bischolsba-d,
both of which are much resorted to during the bathing-season, are supplied from two -warm springs which rise from the bank of the Erlau. bathing-season, cultivation of the vine is the principal occupation of the inhabitants. The E. wine, the best red wine of IIun gary, is produced in considerable quantities, and is in request even in foreign coun tries. There are also manufactures of linens, woolens, hats, etc. and an important weekly market, which has a beneficial effect upon the industry of the town. Pop. '69, 19,150, most of whom are Roman Catholic in religion, and Magyar in race. E. owes its importance to the very old bishopric founded here by St. Stephen in the beginning of the 11th c., and which, in 1804, was raised to an archbishopric.