MARNE, Haute

MARNE, Haute, a department of France, bounded on the N. by the departments of Marne and Meuse, E. by that of Vosges, S. by those of Haute-Saône and Côte-d'Or, and W. by that of Aube, is situated between 47. 35. and 48. 40. N. Lat., 4. 38. and 5. 52. E. Long. The surface, which occupies an area of 2401 square miles, is for the most part hilly, and in some places mountainous. The southern part of Haute-Marne is traversed by the hills of Langres, rising to the height of 2500 feet, and the Faucilles Mountains,—the latter of which form part of a continuous chain between the Cévennes and the Vosges Mountains, and constitute the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The hills gradually diminish in height towards the north, where the country stretches out into beautiful valleys and extensive plains, broken here and there by hills either single or in groups. The geological character of the department is, with the exception of a single spot, of the secondary formation; and the prevailing structure is Jura limestone, with a small development of the coal measures. But notwithstanding the prevalence of mountains, and the small extent of rich soil in the department, it is well cultivated. Nearly a third of the surface is covered with forests. The principal rivers are the Marne, the Meuse, and the Aube, all of which have their sources in this department, which is also watered by several of their tributaries. The climate is healthy, and, though the cold in winter is intense among the mountains, the valleys and plains enjoy a mild and warm temperature. The amount of land producing corn in this department is 550,000 acres; vine-

yards, 37,500 acres; wood, 475,000 acres, &c. More corn is grown than suffices for the supply of the inhabitants: wine is also produced, but is not of great celebrity. Leguminous plants, hemp, &c., are cultivated; and a large quantity of wood is grown here for the supply of Paris. The sheep are numerous, and of a good breed, amounting to the number of 290,000; of cattle there are 90,000, not much esteemed; and of horses, 50,000. Poultry and bees are also reared; and many sorts of game abound in the department. Mining operations are carried on to a considerable extent in Haute-Marne; and the annual produce of the iron mines, for the working of which this is the first department in France, is valued at more than L.85,000. There are also quarries of good building stone, millstones, marble, &c. Iron manufacture is the chief branch of industry pursued here; and the cutlery of Langres and of Nogent is very famous. The other manufactures are,—gloves, stockings, paper, leather, beer, &c. The trade is chiefly in iron, wood, corn, wines, &c. Saint Dizier is the centre of the iron trade; and this town, along with Vitry and others, forms the principal emporium for wood. The capital of the department is Chaumont, and it is divided into three arrondissements, which, with their populations in 1851, are as follows:—