760 



MECKLENBURG. — OLDENBURG. — SAXON DUCHIES. 



Emden is the principal port and commercial town in the kingdom. Population, 11,000. 



7. History. Hanover was one of the electorates of the old German Empire ; and early in 

 the last century the elector ascended the throne of Great Britain ; the two countries were not, 

 however, politically united. In 1S1.5, Hanover was raised to the rank of a kingdom, and, as 

 the succession is in the male line, it became detached from the British crown on the succession 

 of the present Queen to the latter, the Hanoverian crown passing to the first male heir of the 

 late British king. 



CHAPTER CII. GRAND DUCHH^S OF MECKLENBURG. 



1. Boundaries, &c. The two grand duchies ol Mecklenburg lie between the Baltic on the 

 north, Prussia on the south and east, and Hanover and Denmark on the west. They are both 

 limited monarchies, and the inhabitants, with the exception of some Jews and a few Roman 

 Catholics, are Lutherans. The whole territory is a plain, interspersed with low hills. The 

 shore is protected by extensive downs of sand. The chief river is the Elbe ; there are a 

 number of lakes in the country. Agriculture is the chief occupation, and is well managed. 

 Great quantities of apples are exported. The rearing of cattle is carried on extensively ; the 

 horses of this country are much esteemed. 



2. Mecklenburg- Schxoerin. The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin has an area of 

 4,700 square miles, with 472,000 inhabitants. The capital, Schtverin, prettily situated upon a 

 lake of the same name, has 12,000 inhabitants. The grand duke usually resides in the village 

 of Ludwigslust, where is a magnificent palace. Rostock, the largest town in the duchy, has a 

 port on the Baltic, with considerable commerce and manufactures. It contains a university and 

 some other literary institutions. Population, 19,000. Wisniar, with 10,000 inhabitants, has 

 a good harbor on the Bahic, and some trade and manufactures. 



3. Mecklenburg- Slrclitz. The Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg- Strelitz lies to the east of 

 the preceding, and has an area of 1,100 square miles, with 85,300 inhabitants. JYeio Strelitz 

 is the capital and residence of the grand-duke. Population, 6,000. 



CHAPTER cm. GRAND DUCHY OF OLDENBURG. 



1. Boundaries and Extent. This Grand Duchy consists of 3 distinct territories. 1st, The 

 Duchy of Oldenburg, bounded north by the German Ocean ; east, south, and west, by Han- 

 over. 2d, The Principality of Lubeck, inclosed in the Danish dukedom of Holstein. 

 3d, The Principality of Birkenfeld, on the Rhine, nearly surrounded by the Prussian territory. 

 Oldenburg has the German Ocean on the north, and Hanover on the three other sides. Area, 

 2,500 square miles ; population, 260,000. Much of the country is low and wet, and is inter- 

 sected by canals and dikes, to drain it, or to defend it from inundations. 



2. Toions. The capital, Oldenburg, is a pretty town, on the Hunte, a tributary of the 

 Weser, which is navigable by small vessels. Population, 6,000. Eutin and Birkenfeld are 

 capitals of the detached territories, the former in the Danish-German provinces, and the latter 

 m the Prussian province of the Lower Rhine. The government is an absolute monarchy. 



CHAPTER CIV. SAXON DUCHIES. 



1. Boundaries. These States are bounded on the north by Prussia ; east by Reuss and 

 the kingdom of Saxony ; south by Bavaria, and west by Hesse-Cassel. The inhabitants are 

 Lutherans, with few Roman Catholics, and the forms of government constitutional monarchy. 



2. Saxe- Weimar. The Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar consists of 3 detached parts, the 

 principalities of Weimar and Eisenach, and th'^ circle of Neustadt. Area, 1,425 square 

 miles ; population, 243,800. 



Weimar, the capital, is agreeably situated m a pleasant valley, and contains a number of 

 handsome edifices, and learned establishments. The theatre, the grand ducal residence, the 

 public library of 130,000 volumes, the geographical institute, and the fine English park, are 

 among the objects worthy of mention. Weimar has acquired much literary celebrity, from its 



