Rouen ranks next to Lyon among the manufacturing towns of France; it is the principal seat of the cotton manufacture. The spinning-machines are driven by water or by steam power. Hand weaving is also actively carried on. One large clue of the productions of the town is known by the name of 'Itouenneries,' which compre hend chiefly checked and striped cottons for women's dresses. Nan keens are manufactured to • great extent. Kerseymeres also are manufactured. Dyeing cottons and woollens, calico-printing, and bleaching by chemical processes are carried on to a considerable extent. To the above manufacture. may be added dimities, muslin., lace, bed-ticking, woollen hosiery, silk- and cotton-velvet, shawls, handkerchiefs, fabrics of mingled silk and cotton, ropes, blankets, flannel„ hate, combs, preserved meats, liqueurs, soap, chemical pro ducts, paper, haberdaehery, steam-machlnery and mill-work, shot, sheet lead, cotton- and woollen-yarn, &c. There are also numerous sogar-reanerien, bleach-works, tan-yards, ship-yards, breweries, saw mill; capper- and iron-foundries, &c.
The western part of the city is the mercantile part ; the centre is chiefly occupied by retail traders; and the eastern part is inhabited by the manufacturing population. The Faubourg-St.-Sever is also occupied by persons engaged in manufactures. In the northern fart of the town, and in the Faubourg-Cauchoise, on the western aide, the gentry and persons not engaged in business chiefly reside. Ship building is carried on along the bank of the Seine. Above 100 vessels, including steamers, belong to the port. The industrial products of Rouen are shipped to all parts of the world ; and its commerce is said to be largely ou the increase. The entries into the harbour for sea borne vessels in 184S numbered 1695, and in 1849, 1972; the total arrivals and departures in 1852 numbered 6215 vessels, carrying an aguregate burden of 541,355 ton; and 37,724 men.
The river (which opposite Rouen is 1000 feet wide and 36 feet deep) forme a commodious port, divided by the atone bridge into two parts, the upper devoted to the large boats which convey goods to Paris and other places higher up the river, the lower part to seaborne vessels. The direct distance of Rouen from the sea is about 45 miles, but the length of the navigation is almost twice that distance. The influence of the tide is sensibly felt at Rouen, and vessels of 250 or 300 tons can get up to the town. The ready communication of Rouen with the capital and with other towns, by the navigation of the Seine and by railroads, has made it a place of considerable trade, independently of its manufacturing population. The articles of trade are wine, brandy, cider, corn, fruits, grocery, raw products used iu the menu factures of the town, dye stuffs, drugs, timber, iron, slates, pitch, tar, &c.
Rouen, besides being the capital of the department, is the seat of an archbishop, of a High Court of justice for the department of Euro and Seine-Inf6rieure, of tribunals of first instance and of commerce, of a council of prud'hommes, and of the head-quarters of the 2ud Military Division. The archbishop's diocese comprehends the depart ment of Seine-Infdrieure ; his suffragans are the bishops of Bayeux, Helens, Sties, and Coutances. The city also has a mint, keustorn house, two seminaries for the priesthood, a school of medicine, a college, museum) of natural history and natural philosophy, schools of painting, sculpture, architecture, and navigation, a botanical garden, and an academy of science and art: Among the other iustitutions are four hospitals, including one for the insane and one for foundlings, a bank, a savings bank, public baths, and two theatres. Corneille was born in Rouen in 1606.