GRATZ, the capital of the crown-land of Styria, in Austria, is a picturesque old t, built on both sides of the Mur, and encircled by fine gardens and pleasure grounds. It is 140 in. s.s. w. of Vienna, by the Vienna and Trieste railway. The civil population amounts (1869) to 80,732. The inner town, which is connected with the suburb on the western side of the river by two chain and two wooden bridges, is sur rounded by walls and by a promenade (formerly the glacis) shaded with trees, has narrow and crooked streets, and is not remarkable for cleanliness. It is worthy of notice, however, from the number of old buildings which it contains, as the cathe dral of St. Agidi, built in the 14th c. ; the ancient castle of the Styrian dukes, which possesses many curious relics of antiquity; the Landhaus, where the nobles of the duchy held their meiAings; the university, founded in 1585, with its library containing 70,000 volumes; its museum, etc., the arsenal, and various palaces belonging to the
Styrian nobility. Gratz is well provided with gymnasia and other public educational establishments for the laity, and seminaries for the clergy. As the seat of government for the circle, Gratz has special courts of law and administration, and is a place of con siderable importance. It has important manufactures of steel and iron wares, cotton, linen, and woolen fabrics, leather, paper, saltpeter, etc. From its position on the direct line of railway communication between Vienna and Trieste, it is favorably situated as an intermediary station for the trade of the Austrian capital and the Adriatic provinces. Gratz is the residence of a prince-bishop, and has, besides a Protestant church and a synagogue, 23 Catholic churches, some of them very ancient. The country round about Gratz is singularly beautiful and picturesque.