one of the most ancient cities of France, capital of the department of Gers, and of the arrondissement of the same name. In Caesar's time this was the capital of the Ausci. It was afterwards the capital of Gascony; and when that district was divided into counties, it became the capital of Armagnac. The site of the modern town does not exactly coincide with that of the ancient, being on the opposite (the left) bank of the river Gers. It was probably destroyed by the Saracens about A.D. 724, and was afterwards rebuilt in its present picturesque situation on the slope of a hill. On the opposite side of the river, and occupying the site of the ancient city, is a considerable suburb, which is connected with the town by a bridge. The streets are generally regular and well built, and a fine promenade in the upper part of the town affords a magnificent view of the surrounding country. Auch is the seat of an archbishopric; tribunals of commerce and primary jurisdiction; and has a royal college; an agricultural society; a theological seminary, with a museum and a library of 15,000 volumes; a small public library; a theatre, &c. The cathedral of St Mary, one of the most magnificent in France, was commenced in the reign of Charles VIII. (1489), and finished in that of Louis XV. It exhibits several styles of architecture, and contains many elegant monuments. The hotel of the prefecture, formerly the archiepiscopal palace, is a vast and noble edifice. The principal manufactures are hats, various kinds of linen and cotton stuffs, leather, &c., and there is a considerable trade, especially in the brandies of Armagnac. Auchterarder. Pop. in 1851, 9935. The arrondissement of the same name contains 6 cantons, 84 communes, and 61,925 inhabitants.