Grattan
HENRY, an Irish statesman; born in Dublin, July 3, 1746; graduated at Trinity College, and went to London to study and practice law. In 1772 he was called to the bar in his native country, and three years after entered the Irish House of Commons, where his brilliant eloquence soon raised him to distinction. In 1780, the British Parliament having attempted to frame laws for the sister country, to the humiliation of the Irish Parliament and executive, Grattan moved the resolution, "That the King's most excellent Majesty, and the Irish House of Lords and Commons, are the only competent powers to make laws to govern Ireland." So enthusiastic was the national feeling on this occasion that he was voted the sum of $500,000. Of this, however, Grattan refused to accept more than $250,000.
On the union of the two crowns, at the opening of this century, Grattan took his seat in the Imperial Parliament, first for Malton, and afterward for Dublin; but, like most of these great orators, the change from College Green to St. Stephen's seemed fatal alike to his eloquence, his prestige, and his power. He died in London, June 4, 1820. GRATZ (gräts), a city and capital of Styria, Austria, 141 miles S. S. W. of Vienna. It is a picturesque old town, built on both sides of the Mur. Of the former fortress, erected on a hill in the center of the town, and dismantled in 1809 by the French, two towers and other remains still exist. The town itself contains several old buildings, as the Late Gothic cathedral (1462), two other Gothic churches (one built in 1283), the ancient castle of the Styrian dukes, the Landhaus, where the nobles of the duchy held their meetings, the university, originally founded in 1586, an armory, palaces of the Styrian nobles, and four monasteries dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. There are also national archives, a cabinet of coins and antiquities, a technical school (Johanneum), and a botanic garden. Prior to the World War the most important of its many industries were the manufacture of machines, steel goods, rails and railway carriages, sugar, wine, perfumery, stearine candles, soap, etc. Fat capons, biscuits, and chocolate figured prominently as articles of trade. Gratz was a favorite place of residence for Austrian officials retired from service.
The town is mentioned in the annals as early as 881. In 1481 it repulsed the Hungarians from its walls, and in 1532 the Turks. In 1797, and again in 1809, it was occupied by the French. Pop. about 152,000.
GRAUDENZ GRAUDENZ (grou'dents), a town in the province of West Prussia, Germany; on the Vistula, 37 miles N. of Thorn.
It carries on a trade in corn, wool, and cattle, and has iron foundries, breweries, and tapestry and cigar manufactories. About a mile N. of it on a hill is the fortress of Graudenz, built in 1776, and successfully defended against the French in 1807. It was maintained as a fortress till 1874, and now serves as a barrack and military prison.