WIRTEMBERG. 



755 



Rastadt, with 4,000 inhabitants, contains a castle, once the residence of the margraves of 

 Baden ; here were held the congresses of 1713 and 179S. Jllanheim., the largest town in Ba- 

 den, is a handsome city, situated at the confluence of the Neckar with the Rhine. It was once 

 the residence of the court of the elector palatine, and its palace, observatory, literary institu- 

 tions, and population, 22,000 inhabitants, render it important. Frcyberg is noted for its univer- 

 sity, and its magnificent Gothic minster, the spire of which is nearly 500 feet high, being one 

 of the loftiest in Europe. Population, 10,000. Heidelberg contains one of the oldest and 

 most respectable universities in Germany. The situation of the town is delightful ; strangers 

 are here shown a tun of enormous size 



CHAPTER CXVIII. KINGDOM OF WIRTEMBERG. 



1. Boundaries and Population. The kingdom of Wirtemberg is bounded N. and E. by 

 Bavaria, and S. W. and N. by Baden. Its southern border also touches lake Constance. 

 Area, 7,600 square miles ; population, 1,610,000. 



2. Surface and Rivers. Two mountainous ranges traverse the country ; the Schtcartzioald, 

 or Black Forest., extends through the western part ; many of the summits in this range, which 

 contains the sources of the Danube, are from 3,500 to 4,600 feet high ; the Jllh Jllountains, 

 or Swabian Alps, branch off from the Schwartzwald in the southwestern part of Wirtemberg, 

 and traverse the kingdom in a northeasterly direction, separating the waters of the Neckar from 

 those of the Danube ; they are less elevated than the former. The J\'eckar, which rises in the 

 Alb mountains, flows north and west into the Rhine, after a course of 160 miles. The mine- 

 rals are silver, copper, iron, cobalt, sulphur, coal, limestone, alabaster, agate, &c. Warm 

 baths and medicinal springs are numerous, and those of Heilbron are particularly celebrated. 



Wirtemberg is one of the most fertile and best cultivated parts of Germany, producing corn, 

 wine, and various fruits. Except in the mountainous tracts, the surface is agreeably diversified 

 with moderate hills and pleasant valleys, and the climate is mild. 



3. Industry. This kingdom produces great supplies of grain, chiefly spelt ; for rye and 

 wheat are little cultivated. Flax and hemp are raised, and the mountains are coverecj with vines 

 which produce a rich and wholesome wine called J^eckar. Cherries are cultivated extensively 

 in some parts for manufacturing the strong liquor callen Kirschwasser. Fruit trees are abun- 

 dant ; cider and perry are made in great quantities. A singular yet considerable branch of in- 

 dustry is the feeding of snails ; millions of which are fattened in the neighborhood of Ulm 

 during autumn, and exported to Vienna and Italy. Manufactures are not numerous ; but some 

 cloth and lace are made in a few of the towns ; and there are many large distilleries and oil mills. 

 The exports are cattle, corn, wood, tar, potash, oil, and a few manufactured goods. Iron 

 mines are worked in the Black Forest, and iron and salt are exported. The book- trade of Wir- 

 temberg is an important branch of industry ; but the situation of the country is not so favorable 

 as that of Baden, for commercial operations. 



4. Religion, Education, and Government. The Lutheran religion is professed by the great 

 majority of the inhabitants ; but nearly one third are Roman Catholics. There is one univer- 

 sity, at Tubingen, and there are numerous lyceums, gymnasiums, and popular schools. The 

 government is a hereditary, constitutional monarchy, the king possessing the executive power, 

 and sharing the legislative with the two houses. 



5. Divisions and Towns. Wirtemberg is divided into four circles ; the Neckar, the 

 Schwartzwald, the Danube, and the Jaxt. 



The capital is Stuttgard, delightfully situated in a charming country, a few miles from the 

 Neckar. The royal palace is a noble structure, and the library, one of the richest in Europe, 

 containing 200,000 volumes, is particularly remarkable for its collection of Bibles, the most 

 [Uiinerous in the world, comprising 8,250 copies, in 68 languages. The Solitude or Hermit- 

 age, the country residence of the king, is beautifully situated upon a hill, near the capital, and is 

 remarkable for its fine prospect, magnificent halls, and handsome gardens. Population of Stutt- 

 gard, 32,000, 



Uhn, on the Danube, is a place of some trade and considerable manufactures. Its cathedral, 

 though unfinished, is one of the finest specimens of Gothic architecture. Population, 12,000. 

 ReutUngen, a manufacturing town, with 10,000 inhabitants ; Tubingen, 7,000 inhabitants; 



