BOURGES, a city of France, formerly the capital of the province of Berry, and now the chief town of the department of Cher, is situated about 100 miles S. of Paris, at the confluence of the Auron and Yevre, in 47° 4' 59" N. lat. and 2° 32' E. long. The sixty watch-towers by which it was formerly defended have been removed, but it is still surrounded by ramparts laid out as promenades, and its streets are remarkable for the numerous specimens which they preserve of mediaeval architecture. The cathedral, which dates in its earlier portions from the 13th century, is regarded as one of the finest in France, and the Hôtel de Ville, originally the house of Jacques Coeur, the famous jeweller under Charles VIL, is a splendid example of the florid style of the 15th century. The house of the Lallemant family, built about 1520, that of Cujas, the famous jurist, dating from the 16th century, and now used as barracks for the gendarmerie, and the gate of Saint Ours, are also worthy of notice. The archiépiscopal palace, the great prison, and the grand séminaire, new converted into cavalry barracks, are the most important of the other buildings. There are also in the town a museum, a large public library, and a number of colleges. A certain amount of trade is carried on in grain, hemp, wood, skins, wool, and cattle; and cloth, leather, and cutlery are manufactured. There are also several breweries, and the nurseries in the neighbourhood are famous. In 1861 the city became the seat of a military arsenal, which is now of considerable importance. The population, stated at 22,465 in 1851, amounted in 1872 to 27,377. Bourges occupies the site of the Gallic town of Avaricum, mentioned by Caesar as one of the most important of all Gaul. In 52 b.c., during the war of Vercingetorix, it was ...