ALCOY  , a

town of south-eastern Spain, in the province of Alicante, on the small river Serpis, and at the terminus of a branch railway connected' with the Barcelona-Valencia-Alicante line . Pop . (1900) 32,053 . Alcoy is built on high ground at the entrance to a gorge in the Moncabrer range (4547 ft.) . It is a thriving industrial town, devoid of any great antiquarian or architectural interest, though founded by the Moors . It owes its prosperity to its manufacture of linen, woolen goods and paper, especially cigarette paper . Many of the' factories derive their motive power from the falls of a mountain torrent known as the Salto de las Aguas . Labour disturbances are frequent, for, like Barcelona, Alcoy has become one of the centres of socialistic and revolutionary agitation, while preserving many old-fashioned customs and traditions, such as the curious festival held annually in April in honour of St George, the patron saint of the town .