Guise

Guise, a town of the French department of Aisne, on the Oise, 25 miles by rail ENE. of St Quentin. Within the town are the ruins of a castle, from which the famous Dukes of Guise derived their title. Guise is now a place of considerable industrial activity, with woollen and cotton manufactures, and a large foundry (800 hands) for manufacturing cooking and heating stoves. The ironworks are conducted on a profit-sharing scheme; and the workmen are provided with dwellings on the associated plan. This Familistère, of which the first portion was erected by the initiator of the experiment, M. Godin, in 1859–60, has cost about £80,000, and provides accommodation for 2000 persons. Within the buildings are a café, theatre, nursery, schools, covered playgrounds, a co-operative store, and a library and reading-room. Pop. (1872) 5651; (1891) 8153.