SEINE-ET-OISE

SEINE-ET-OISE, a department of France, lying between N. Lat. 48. 18. and 49. 10., E. Long. 1. 29. and 2. 24.; bounded on the N. by the department of Oise, E. by that of Seine-et-Marne, S. by that of Loire, S.W. by that of Eure-et-Loire, and N.W. by that of Eure, entirely surrounding that of Seine. Length from N.W. to S.E. 70 miles; greatest breadth, 52; area, 2164 square miles. It consists of a beautiful expanse of country, rising in some places into hills of moderate elevation, with gentle slopes and level plains in other parts; the whole being richly cultivated and studded with stately forests, magnificent parks, noble castles, and quiet hamlets, with the placid stream of the Seine meandering through the land, and uniting with that of the Oise from the N.E. The other rivers are of smaller size, such as the Yères and Epte, Essonne, and Orge, falling into the Seine. In its geological structure the greater part of the department belongs to the tertiary basin, in which Paris stands; but a narrow strip in the west is composed of chalky formations. Sandstone, paving-stone, mill-stones, chalk, plaster, potter's clay, and other minerals, are found in the department. There are sulphuric springs at Eughien, and at some other places within the limits of Seine-et-Oise. The climate is salubrious and temperate. The soil, not remarkably fertile by nature, has been rendered productive by careful cultivation. Agriculture is the principal source of wealth. Corn and wine are produced in superabundance. Potatoes, pulse, beet-root, and rape are also raised; and there are many orchards and forests which furnish large quantities of fruit and timber. The department contains 917,500 acres of arable land, 50,000 of meadows, 42,500 of vineyards, 195,000 of forests, and 27,500 of heaths and waste land. On the meadows are reared large numbers of live stock, especially sheep. The sheep-folds of Rambouillet, in this department, are celebrated. It is calculated that there are in Seine-et-Oise 70,000 cows, 520,000 sheep, 30,000 pigs, 55,000 horses, 10,000 asses, &c. Poultry and fish abound in the department, but game has become exceedingly scarce. Besides agricultural and pastoral employments, many of the inhabitants are engaged in manufactures of various kinds. The celebrated porcelain of Sèvres is one of the most important of the articles manufactured; and among the others are cotton and linen cloth, hosiery, paper, fire-arms, gunpowder, &c. In these articles, as well as in corn, wool, and timber, an active trade is carried on. Besides three navigable rivers, the Seine, Marne, and Oise, there are in the department a canal and numerous roads; while all the railways that diverge from Paris traverse it for a longer or a shorter distance. Seine-et-Oise forms the see of Versailles, and is subject in legal matters to the Court of Appeal at Paris. It has a lyceum, two colleges, a normal seminary, and 1100 elementary schools. The capital is Versailles, which has a population of about 36,000, and there are six arrondissements, as follows:—