According to the 9th ed. (1888-1890) of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, this is the "great cantonal school, comprising a gymnasium, a technical school (preparatory to the polytechnicum at Zurich) and a mercantile school." Further in the entry it notes that St. Gall was industrialized, engaged in the textile industry. "In 1872 6384 machines that produced embroidery and chain-stitched fabrics were in use; in 1882, 14,883 machines."