Gabelsberger, Franz

XAVER, inventor of the shorthand system largely used in German-speaking countries; born at Munich, Feb. 9, 1789; acted as ministerial secretary in the statistical office of the finance department of the Bavarian Civil Service from 1826 to 1849; published Anleitung zur Deutschen Redezeichenkunst oder Stenographie, an account of his system. D. Jan. 4, 1849. Gab'lentz, LUDWIG KARL WILHELM, BARON VON, an Austrian field-marshal, born at Jena, in 1814. After serving in the Saxon army for some years, he joined the Austrian service, distinguished himself at Custozza, took a brilliant part in the Hungarian war, gaining distinction at Magenta, and, by covering the retreat of the Austrian army from the field of Solferino, preserved it from annihilation. He next served in the SchleswigHolstein campaign; and in the war with Pru ia (1866) had command of the 8th and 10th corps in the disastrous defeat at Königgrätz. In July, 1869, he was appointed commander-in-chief in Hungary. He retired in 1871, and, having lost seriously in stock speculations, shot himself, Jan. 28, 1874. Gaboon' or French Congo. (Geog.) A French colony in western Africa, between the Atlantic and the Middlo Congo, and embracing the region of the Gaboon river, a stream or estuary which extends 40 m. inland with a width of from 6 to 12 m. G. extends along the coast from Lat. 5o S. to about 2° N.; is bounded inland by the Congo and Mobangi rivers, and touches the German colony of Came roons on the north. The area, estimated at over 200,000 sq. m., is uncertain, the northeastern boundary not being defined. The climate is extremely unhealthy near the coast, but is better on the inland plateau, which is covered with extensive forests, the abode of the gorilla. The coastal and parts of the Interior regions are fertile and rich in products, including gum, gutta-perch a, palm-oil, timber, ivory, . Coffee, vanilla, sugar-cane, and cotton are cultivated. Sheep and goats are numerous, but the former yield no wool. The population, mainly of the Bantu stock, is estimated at 7,000,000. The French gained rights on the estuary of the Gaboon in 1839; made a settlement in 1845, and 20 years afterward extended their control to the Ogowé. The interior region was first explored by De Brazza in 1876-78, and through his energy and enterprise the country became known, and the French claim was extended. There are now numerous stations in the coast region, the principal being that of Libreville, on the Gaboon.