in the north of France, one of the five departments formed out of the old province of Normandy. It is bounded on the N. by the estuary of the Seine and the department of Seine-Inferieure, W. by Calvados, S. by Orne and Eure-et-Loir, and E. by Seine-et-Oise and Oise. It is sixty-five miles in length from E. to W., and its breadth varies from twenty-six to fifty-two miles, being between 48.39 and 49.29 N. Lat., and 0.15 and 1.45 E. Long. Area 2420 square miles. The surface is flat, with some ranges of low hills, none of them exceeding 300 feet in height. The three principal rivers by which it is watered are the Seine, the Eure, and the Rille. The Seine flows from S.E. to N.N.W. through this department, dividing it into two unequal parts. It afterwards touches the frontier at two or three points, and near its mouth forms part of the north boundary. The Eure, from which the department takes its name, rises in Orne, and flowing first east and then north, through Eure-et-Loir, falls into the Seine six miles below Louviers, after a course of ninety-three miles. The Rille likewise rises in Orne, and flows generally northward to its mouth in the estuary of the Seine. The climate is mild, but moist and variable. The soil is generally clayey, resting on a bed of chalk; but along the Seine there are some barren sandy tracts, quite incapable of cultivation. A great part of it, however, is very fertile and well cultivated. The chief kind of cereal cultivated is wheat, the growth of which occupies a larger space than rye, oats, and barley together. The quantity of grain produced is more than sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants. Flax is largely cultivated, and, from its length, fineness, and colour, is highly esteemed. Some hemp is also produced. The horses of the department, of the pure Norman breed, have always been celebrated, and, though they had nearly lost their high character, have of late been more carefully bred and much improved. The breed of cows is remarkably good; and the calves are much in request in the neighbouring departments. Sheep have been neglected, but have recently increased; and those on the coast, known as Moutons du Pré Salé, are highly valued for their excellent flesh. Of late years attempts have been made to improve the wool by a mixture of Merinos. Fruit is very abundant, especially apples, from which much cider is made. The vine is not much cultivated, cider being the principal beverage of the inhabitants.

This department abounds in iron ore, and is noted for its mining and manufacturing industry. Cotton, linen, and woollen cloths of every kind are fabricated. There are large establishments for making copper ware of all kinds, the various descriptions of paper, nails, pins, and needles, glass for windows and glass bottles, and jewellery and trinkets. These employments occupy the larger portion of the inhabitants. Such goods form the trade; in addition to which, fire-wood, timber, cattle, honey, wax, and corn are furnished to the district surrounding the department. Eure is divided into five arrondissements, as follows:

| Arrondissements | Cantons | Communes | Pop. in 1851 | |-----------------|---------|----------|-------------| | Evreux | 11 | 261 | 129,374 | | Louviers | 5 | 116 | 68,859 | | Les Andelys | 6 | 134 | 64,717 | | Bernay | 6 | 140 | 77,222 | | Pont Audemer | 8 | 140 | 84,625 |

36 791 415,777