NIÈVRE

NIÈVRE, a department of France, lying between N. Lat. 46. 40. and 47. 35., E. Long. 2. 50. and 4. 10; and bounded on the N. by the departments Loiret and Yonne, E. by those of Côte-d'Or and Saône-et-Loire, S. by Saône-et-Loire and Allier, and W. by Cher. Its form is that of an irregular quadrangle; its greatest length is 79 miles, its greatest breadth 65 miles; area 2642 square miles. A range of mountains, forming an offset of those of Côte-d'Or, traverses the department from S.E. to N.W., and separates the tributaries of the Seine from those of the Loire. These hills gradually diminish in height towards the N.W. from 2640 feet to 400 or 600 feet high, and are connected with the Côte-d'Or Mountains by the Mountains of Morvan, which extend westwards in the department of Côte-d'Or, and then southwards between Nièvre and Saône-et-Loire. The general height of this chain is 1600 feet; but one of the peaks, called Mount Prenelay, rises to the height of 2904 feet. The main ridge of the mountains of Nièvre sends off numerous smaller branches, which give the country a rugged and uneven aspect. They are all thickly covered with wood, and present a very wild appearance. The geological structure of the south-eastern part of the department is chiefly granitic and schistose, while in the N. the secondary strata are predominant. There are few extensive plains, except at the north-western extremity of the mountains, and on the borders of the Loire and Allier, where there are some tracts of sandy but fertile soil. The Loire enters the

department from the S., crosses it towards the N.W., and then flows northward between Nièvre and Cher. Its principal affluents in this department are—the Aron, the Nièvre, and the Nohain, from the right, and the Allier from the left, which merely skirts the department, separating it from those of Allier and Cher. The Yonne rises in the Morvan Mountains, and flows northwards to the Seine, receiving several small affluents. The streams in the basin of the Loire form numerous ponds, most of which are dried up in the summer; and many canals have been constructed by the inhabitants, which are useful for the irrigation of the soil, and for supplying water-power to various manufactures. The soil is in general poor, but it produces enough of grain for the wants of the people. The climate is temperate but moist; and in some parts fevers are common; from which the valleys of the Loire and Allier are protected by the warm and dry winds which blow from the S. and E. Agriculture has in recent years made great progress in the department; rye and flax are the most important of the crops; and vines are grown with success on the banks of the Loire and Yonne. Of the whole extent of the country, about 303,000 acres consist of arable land, 79,000 of pasture land, 15,000 of vineyards, 368,000 of wood, 27,000 of waste land, &c. The timber of the forests contributes in no small degree to the wealth of the department; it consists principally of oak, beech, and maple. The mineral resources of Nièvre are great, and are worked to a considerable extent: iron, copper, and argentiferous lead are the principal metals; and coal, marble, granite, sandstone, flint, &c., are found in great abundance. One of the principal branches of industry in the department consists in the working of the mines and in the smelting of iron; the annual value of the mineral productions is estimated at L.400,000. It has also been calculated that Nièvre contains 126,000 head of large cattle, 285,000 sheep, 48,000 pigs, 4000 goats, 16,000 horses, 1400 mules, and 2500 asses. There is abundance of game in the department. Besides the smelting of iron, for which there are 30 large furnaces, the manufactures of Nièvre consist of linen and woollen stuffs, pottery, porcelain, hardware, and cutlery of an inferior kind. Some trade is carried on in agricultural produce and in articles of manufacture, especially timber, charcoal, mill-stones, iron, steel, copper, tin, cattle, hides, &c. The internal communication in the country is facilitated by two canals, one of which connects the Loire and the Yonne, and has a length of 86 miles in this department; and the other extends alongside of the Loire for 30 miles in Nièvre. The department forms the bishopric of Nevers; it contains 4 courts of the first instance, and 2 courts of commerce; 4 academies, 2 higher communal schools, and 330 elementary schools. The capital is Nevers; and it is divided into 4 arrondissements, as follows:—

Nièvre nearly corresponds with the ancient province of Nivernais, which was in early times a county subject to the dukes of Burgundy. Although it never had any historical importance, this country has given birth to several celebrated men. The people are in general lively, industrious, and hospitable; but ignorant, passionate, and much given to pleasure.