divided from each other by the duchy of Gera belonging to the house of Reuss. The superficial area is about 24 geographical square miles, whereof 11.5 belong to the circle of Altenburg, and 12.5 to that of Saale-Eisenberg. The population, in 1843, was 125,342, of whom about 124,000 profess the Lutheran religion. The revenue is about 247,487 thalers. The debt amounts to 947,066 thalers. The duke granted a constitution to his subjects in 1831. Twelve delegates assemble every five years, as one chamber, under a president nominated by the duke.-The capital, Altenburg, on the Pleisse, had a population, in 1842, of 14,500.— Lucka, on the Schnauder, is a town of 1,300 inhabitants. Ronneburg, 10 miles south-west of Altenburg, has a population of 5,000.-Eisenberg, formerly the residence of the Eisenberg line of the house of Gotha, has a population of 4,800.-Jena, in Sachsen-Weimar, is the common university of Altenburg, and the other junior Saxon duchies. CHAP. XXII.—THE DUCHY OF BRUNSWICK. THE duchy of Brunswick, or Braunschweig, consists of five large, and several small districts. It is wholly enclosed by the Prussian and Hanoverian States. Its surface is variously stated, from 1,126 geographical, to 1,452 British square miles. In 1826, the population amounted to 242,000. The possessions of the reigning house of Brunswick were conquered many centuries ago. They were allodial property of the house of Guelph and Este; being afterwards enlarged, the whole principality was consolidated in 1495. The country was taken possession of by Napoleon, after the battle of Jena, in 1809, in which engagement the duke commanded the Prussian army, and was severely wounded. The duchy was incorporated with the kingdom of Westphalia; but the son of the duke, who had retired to England, got possession of it again in 1813. He fell in the affair of Quatre Bras in 1815. His son being a minor, the present king of Great Britain, then Prince Regent, instituted a regency under his own inspection, and on the 19th of June, 1820, gave a representative constitution.-The Harz runs through a part of the country. The principal river is the Weser. Agriculture is in a flourishing state, and there is also considerable industry. The population is mostly Lutheran. The duchy of Brunswick has always held an honourable place in German literature. The duke holds the 13th place in the confederacy, together with Nassau, and has two votes in plenum. The revenue of the state in 1826 amounted to 6,300,000 francs, or £254,166 : 13 : 4d. ; but the patrimonial domains of the duke are said to yield him £210,000 annually. The state debt was, in 1826, 8,000,000 francs, or £333,333: 6: 8d. The military force is 15,000 men; the contingent for the confederacy is fixed at 2,009.-Brunswick, the capital, and ducal residence, is an ancient well-built fortified city, situated in a plain on the Ocker, where it is navigable 8 miles below Wolfenbüttel, and 40 miles E. of Hanover. It contains a magnificent palace, a college founded in 1745, a cathedral erected in 1172, an opera house, a theatre, an orphan house, two gymnasiums, a house of correction, other public buildings, and about 36,000 inhabitants. It was formerly a Hanse town, and has two celebrated yearly fairs. The first spinning-wheels were invented in this place, in 1530.—Wolfenbüttel is a well-built, and tolerably fortified town, containing 8000 inhabitants. In the castle is a magnificent library of 200,000 volumes. This immense library was collected by duke Au gustus, a learned, pious, and excellent prince, who died in 1666, at the advanced age of 88. The principal church in the town contains the sepulchral monuments of the dukes; 25 of whom, with their duchesses, lie here enclosed in leaden coffins, with suitable inscriptions. Three miles from Wolfenbüttel is an elegant chateau, in which are two galleries furnished with excellent paintings. One of these is 200 feet long, 50 feet broad, and 47 feet high; and the other 160 feet long, and 20 broad.Helmstadt is an indifferently built town with two suburbs, containing 5,300 inhabitants. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany; and is so called from the number of elm-trees in its vicinity. A university was founded here in 1576, by duke Juliers. For a long time, it maintained an illustrious reputation for the number of learned characters that it produced, and the celebrity of its professors, as Lampadius, Forsterus, Stukius, Reinneccius, Meibomius, Calixtus, Conringius, and Cellarius, whose erudite work on ancient geography was long esteemed a standard performance in that branch of science. But the university has now sunk into a state of comparative insignificance. CHAP. XXIII.—THE GRAND DUCHY OF MECKLENBURG SCHWERIN. THIS country has a surface of above 5000 British square miles. It is bounded on the N. by the Baltic; on the E. by the Prussian States; on the S.E. by Mecklenburg-Strelitz; on the S. by Prussian Saxony; on the S.W. by Hanover; and on the W. by Luneburg, and the principality of Ratzeburg, belonging to Mecklenburg-Strelitz. History.] The history of Mecklenburg is only known with any certainty from the time of Charlemagne. Herulians and Wendes inhabited the coasts of the Baltic, and the present duchy of Mecklenburg, in the earliest ages. These tribes having followed the general emigration towards the South, were succeeded by Slavonians coming from the East. Between two of the most powerful of these tribes, the Obotrites and the Wilzes, an ancient feud existed. The Obotrites, who, in the time of Charlemagne, consisted of the Obotrites properly so called, in the west of Mecklenburg,―the Polabes, in Ratzeburg and Lauenburg,—and the Wagrians, in Holstein, conquered the Wilzes in East Mecklenburg in 782, and took possession of a large part of that country. The conversion and subjection of the Slavonian tribes occasioned long and bloody wars. Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony and Bavaria, at length conquered these fierce tribes, and devastated their country with fire and sword. Henry afterwards made peace with the Wendish prince, Pribislaus, who embraced the Christian faith, and whose son, Henry Burewin, received Henry's daughter, Mathilda, in marriage. In 1170, Pribislaus was declared a prince of the empire. This chief was the ancestor of the succeeding princes of Mecklenburg, whose house is the oldest princely house in Europe, and the only one whose Slavonian descent is indisputable. The name of Mecklenburg comes from the ancient capital of the Obotrites, Mecklinborg, which was destroyed in early times, and is now a village between Wisenar and Brüel. After the death of Henry Burewin II. the sovereignty was divided between the four lines of Mecklenburg, Gustrow, Rostock, and Parchim; but the two latter became extinct soon after. John, surnamed Theologus, to whom Mecklenburg was given, was created doc tor of theology by the University of Paris. His grandson, Henry the Lion, greatly enlarged his patrimonial territories. His sons, Albrecht and John, founded the two lines of Stargard and Schwerin, and were created dukes by the emperor Charles IV., 1340. Both lines were again united under Henry the Fat; and his two grandsons, Adolph Frederic and John Albert, founded the lines of Schwerin and Gustrow. Ferdinand III. on account of their alliance with Denmark, deposed both, and bestowed the country, in 1627, on this celebrated Wallenstein; but in 1632, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden restored them. The Schwerin line was afterwards divided into the two branches of Schwerin and Strelitz, while that of Gustrow became extinct in 1695. The present grand duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Frederic Francis, joined the Rhenish confederation, and afterwards, in the congress of Vienna, the German confederacy. The ancient very superannuated and defective constitution still exists. Between both grand duchies, a very close connexion exists, as the States of both assemble together, though the governments are independent of one another. Bondage has at last been abolished, and the present duke has made improvements in the administration. Physical Features.] This country is entirely a plain, interspersed with very small hills. The coast towards the Baltic is little indented. There are here no perceptible tides, and the shore is protected by extensive downs of sand. The holy dyke, at the coast of Dobberaa, is about two English miles in length, 100 feet broad, and 15 or 16 feet high. It consists entirely of small loose pebbles. Rivers.] The principal river is the Elbe; the smaller ones are the Elde, the Reiknitz, and the Peene. There are a great number of inland lakes; the Sea of Dassow, although connected with the Baltic, is properly only an inland lake. Soil, Climate, &c.] The soil is partly rich, and intermixed with clay, partly sandy. The climate is temperate, but very variable, and the winter severe. Agriculture is the principal branch of industry, and there are few provinces in Germany where it is so well conducted. The country exports a considerable quantity of corn. Apples are likewise exported in great quantities. The rearing of cattle is extensively conducted. The sheep have been greatly improved by crossing with Merinos. Mecklenburg excels all other countries of Germany in the rearing of horses, which are exported from the province in great numbers to the Continent. In several extensive studs, the original Mecklenburg breed, which in itself is good, has been improved by English full-blood and Arabian horses. The commerce is very animated, and the balance between exportation and importation stands in favour of the country. Population.] The population was estimated by Hassel, in 1817, at 351,908; and at a later date by Stein, at 396,874. Balbi states it to have been, in 1826, 431,000. It is composed chiefly of the descendants of the Obotrites, and the language is Low German. The majority are Lutherans ; the Catholics do not exceed 1000, but the Jews amount to nearly 3000. There is a university, and several pretty good gymnasiums and high schools; but the lower classes are very much behind those of other German countries in information. The grand duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin holds, together with Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the 14th place in the German confederacy, and has, in plenum, two votes. succession goes in the male line. The revenue, in 1826, was about 6,000,000 francs, or £250,000, and the debt 24,500,000 francs, or The £1,020,833: 6: 8d. The military force is about 3,400, the contingent is 3,580. Chief Towns.] The capital is Schwerin. It lies partly on an island in the lake, and has 12,000 inhabitants. The duke only resides here a few weeks in winter.-Dobberan borough, near the Baltic, with 1,420 inhabitants, is a celebrated sea-bathing place, having annually from 600 to 1000 visitors, with very splendid accommodation, and fine promenades. Here is an ancient Gothic church.-Ludwigslust, a borough with about 4000 inhabitants; is the usual residence of the duke. There is here a very fine castle, with a gallery of pictures, and a beautiful park. Wismar, on the Baltic, with 9000 inhabitants; has a good harbour, and conducts a considerable commerce.-Rostock, on the Warnow, which is navigable, is the most important Mecklenburg town. It contains 17,000 inhabitants, and has a very animated yearly fair. Its university was founded in 1419. It is from Warnemunde, a port on the Baltic, that the commerce of Rostock is carried on.-At Ivenack, a borough with 750 inhabitants, the most famous stud in all Germany is kept. It belongs to the Count of Plessen. The horses here are almost all of English or Arabian breed, and fetch high prices over all the Continent. CHAP. XXIV.-THE GRAND DUCHY OF MECKLENBURG- THE surface of this duchy is about 640 English square miles. It consists of two different districts, viz. 1st, The principality of Stargard, bounded on the N.E. and S. by the Prussian territories, and on the W. by Mecklenburg-Schwerin; and, 2d, The principality of Ratzeburg, bounded on the N. by the lake of Dassow, on the E. by Schwerin, on on the S. by Lauenburg, and on the W. by the lake of Ratzeburg, and the dominions of the town of Lübeck. History.] The father of the present grand duke, the duke Charles, joined the Rhenish confederacy at the same time with the duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and afterwards the German confederacy, when he took the title of grand duke. His sister was the queen Charlotte of England, wife of George III., and his daughter is married to the duke of Cumberland. He was succeeded by his son George Frederic, in 1816. Physical Features.] This country is a perfect plain, intersected with forests, lakes, and rivers. The principal river is the Tollen, coming from the lake of the same name. The climate is like that of Schwerin, but the soil is in general lighter. Population.] The inhabitants, amounting in 1826 to 77,000, are chiefly of Wendish descent, and the Low German is here also the dialect of the lower classes. The religion is Lutheran, and there are about 732 Jews. The government and constitution are the same as in Schwerin. The revenue is about £45,000, and the state debt about £125,000. The contingent is 717 men. Chief Towns.] New Strelitz, with about 5000 inhabitants, is the capital and residence of the grand duke; it is very regularly and well built, and has a fine castle belonging to the duke, in which is a collection of Obotriton and Wendish antiquities.-New Brandenburg, on the Tollensee, has 5,145 inhabitants. CHAP. XXV. THE GRAND-DUCHY OF HOLSTEIN OLDENBURG. THE possessions of the grand duke of Oldenburg consist of three distinct countries, viz. 1st, The duchy of Oldenburg, bounded on the N. by the German Ocean: on the E. by Hanover, and the dominions of the town of Bremen ; and on the S. and W. by Hanover; 2d, The principality of Lübeck, entirely enclosed in the Danish dukedom of Holstein; and, 3dly, The principality of Birkenfeld, on the left side of the Rhine, almost surrounded by the Prussian province of the Lower Rhine. The surface of the whole possessions of the duke amount to 1233 German square miles, according to Stein, and to 129, according to Hassel. It is probable they do not exceed 2,600 British square miles. History.] This principality originally belonged to the house of Denmark; but in 1773, was exchanged with the grand duke of Russia, the late emperor Paul, for the district of Kiel, in Holstein, who immediately gave it to his cousin, the duke of Holstein-Eutin, and bishop of Lubeck. This exchange was ratified by the emperor of Germany, who, in 1777, raised Oldenburg and Delmenhurst to the rank of a duchy, by the name of Holstein-Oldenburg. The late duke, Peter Frederic Ludwig, was bishop of Lübeck, but administered the affairs of the duchy since 1785 for his cousin, who was mad, and whom he succeeded in 1803; he joined the Rhenish confederation in 1808, but his duchy was, in 1810 incorporated with the French empire. An indemnity was offered to the duke, which that high-minded man would not accept, being too much attached to his country to make it the subject of barter. He kept the principality of Lübeck, and was, by the congress of Vienna, reinstated in his duchy, to which was added the principality of Birkenfeld above-mentioned. A representative constitution has not yet been introduced into this country. Physical Features.] Oldenburg is a marshy tract, subject to frequent inundations, especially from the Weser, but abounding in rich pastures. A considerable part of it is moorish and barren; other parts are very fertile. Oldenburg possesses an excellent breed of horned cattle, and is noted for fine horses. The principality of Lubeck has the same climate and soil as Holstein. The country is very pretty and fertile around the lakes of Ploen and Eutin. The principality of Birkenfeld is covered with mountains belonging to the system of the Wasgau, between which are small valleys. Population, Government, &c.] The population of this duchy has been estimated so high as 325,000, and so low as 218,000; we think Balbi's statement more correct, which makes the population to have been, in 1826, 241,000. In Oldenburg and Lübeck, the inhabitants are of the Low German race, and mostly Lutherans by creed; in Birkenfeld—the population of which does not exceed 22,000—they are of the Rhenish German race. The duke holds, together with Anhalt and Schwarzburg, the 15th place in the confederacy, with one vote in plenum. The succession is in the male line, and the administration of the country is said to be very good. Education is here much neglected. Parochial schools are difficult to maintain, in consequence of the thinness of the population; they have, however, been considerably improved. The revenue, in 1826, amounted to 3,878,000 francs, or £160,625. The military |