ELBING, a town of Prussia, in the circle of is situated in a fertile district on the river Elbing, near the Frische Half. This town appears to have been founded by a colony from Lubeck in 1239, and till the end of the 16t1t century was included in the Hanseatic League. The demolition of the fortifications, at the sion of the town to Prussia by Poland in 1770, has riched the town with a grand place. Since the year Elbing has risen in importance as a commercial town. On an island formed by the river Elbing and a moat, a custom-house and excellent warehouses have been erected, those for corn holding no less than 30,000 lasts. About the end of the year 1803, the shipping consisted of 7110 tons, besides 50 coasters, and 25 light ers, which arc employed in conveying cargoes to Piltan, 50 miles distant ; as ships of 100 tons only can come up to Elbing. Cattenu, in his Tableau do la lifer Baltique, states the number of vessels that arrived annually at Elbing to be between 300 and 400, the same number clearing out annually.
The exports and imports of Elbing are nearly the same as those of Konigsberg, and consisted of i1011, iron stone, alum, lead, Brazil wood, coffee, oranges and ci trons, indigo, vitriol, rice, tobacco, sugar, soda, and French wines. This trade, however, has suffered great ly during the late disastrous wars, but now that peace is established, it may soon be expected to recover its for mer importance.
A number of vessels are built at Elbing ; and there are manufactories of soap, tobacco, wood-ashes, starch, sailcloth and cordage, besides a sugar-house and a saw mill.
The libi ary of the college contains some curiosities ; and in the environs of the town, viz. at Geizhals, Thum berg, Haff, and Vogelsang, there are some very pictu resque views. Population in 1802, 19,200. East lon gitude 19° and north latitude 54° 8' 20", by trigono metrical observations. See Oddy's European Com merce, and Catteau's Tableau de la her Baltique, vol. ii. p. 303. (w)