AUBENAS, ethinis', France, town in the department of Ardeche, 19 miles southwest of Pnvas. It is beautifully situated on the bank of the Arcleche, but its streets generally, are crooked and narrow. It has a castle of the 16th century, now occupied by several of the public institutions of the town. These include a tribunal and chamber of commerce, and a con ditioninig-house for silk. Iron and coal mines are worked in the vicinity. As the centre of the silk trade of southern France Aubenas is a place of considerable traffic. It has also a large silk spinning and weaving industry, and carries. on tanning and various minor industries to gether with trade in silk. The district is in plantations of mulberries and olives. Pop. about 4,000.
AUBER,
Daniel Francois Esprit, French composer: b. Caen 1782; d. Paris 1871. His father was a violinist of some note, and also dealt in prints. He sent his son to England' to learn the trade; but the latter's love for music triumphed and he returned to Paris in 1804, and attracted considerable attention through several musical compositions. He came under the notice of Cherubini, who gave him instruc tion in composition. His
appeared in 1813 but met an unfavorable recep tion.