764 



THE FREE CITIES. 



2. Hohenzullern- Hechingen . The principality of Holienzollern-Hechlngen has an area of 

 1.30 square miles, with 20,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Hechingen ; population, 3,000. 



3. Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. The principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen has an area 

 of 390 square miles, with 42,600 inhabitants. Trochtcljingcn, the principal town, has a pop- 

 ulation of 2,000 The capital, Sigmaringen, is an insignificant town, with 1,500 inhabitants 



CHAPTER CXV. LORDSHIP OF KNIPHAUSEN. 



This Lilliputian State, the smallest in Europe, has an area of IS square miles, with 2,860 

 inhabitants. It lies upon the northern coast of Oldenburg. The capital, Kniphausen, is a 

 castle of the sovereign lord, surrounded by about 50 inhabitants. 



CHAPTER CXVI. THE FREE CITIES. 



1. Bremen. The Republic of Bremen comprises the city of that name, and the adjoining 

 territory, lying on the Weser, and surrounded by the Hanoverian territories. Area, 68 square 

 miles ; population, 58,000. The city of Bremen is a place of considerable commerce, though 

 the larger vessels are obliged to discharge their cargoes below. The government is adminis- 

 tered by 4 burgomasters and a senate, all of whom are chosen for life. The town is surround- 

 ed by gardens and walls, shaded with trees, which occupy the site of the old fortifications. 

 Population, 40,000. 



2. Hamburg. The territories of Hamburg are surrounded by the German provinces of 

 Denmark. The bailiwic of Ritzebuttel is detached from the rest of the States, lying at the 

 mouth of the Elbe. The bailiwic of Bergedorf belongs to Hamburg and Lubeck in common. 

 Area, 150 square miles; 153,000. The government is aristocratic, being vested in 4 burgo- 

 masters, and a council, which fill their own vacancies. 



The city of Hamburg., on the northern bank of the Elbe, 75 miles by the river, from the 

 sea, is built partly on a great number of islands formed by the Elbe and the Alster. It is di- 

 vided by a canal into the Old and New Town. The whole city is surrounded by a lofty ram- 

 pai't, and a broad ditch. Most of the streets are narrow and dark, especially in the Old 

 Town, and the houses are mostly in the Dutch fashion, 6 or 7 stories high. A few of the 

 streets are handsome, and bordered by long and wide canals. The ramparts are planted with 

 trees, and are so wide that they admit several carriages abreast. The churches are mostly 

 Gothic, with beautiful altars, large organs, and lofty spires, covered with copper, which makes 

 a brilliant appearance in the sun. The exchange is a noble structure, and Hamburg has always 

 enjoyed a thriving commerce. It has manufactures to a considerable extent of cotton and 

 linen cloths, and refined sugars ; it has many schools, libraries, and literaiy institutions. Popu- 

 lation, 122,000. Cuxhaven., upon the coast, is a little village important for its port, from which 

 sail regular packet and steam vessels to Amsterdam and Harwich. 



3. Lubeck. The territories of Lubeck consist of several detached portions, situated on 

 the Baltic, and bounded by the Danish and Mecklenburg territories. Area, 140 square miles ; 

 population, 46,000. The government resembles that of the other free cities of Germany. The 

 city of Lubeck, on the Trave, is still a place of considerable business, though much declined 

 since the time when it was tlie head of the Hanseatic* towns, and its fleet commanded the 

 Baltic. Its fortifications are now converted into promenades. Population, 22,000. 



4. Frankfort. This republic is principally bounded by the Hessian States. Area, 92 

 square miles ; population, 54,000. Tlie burgomasters are chosen annually, and, with the legis- 

 lative senate and executive assembly, administer the government. Frankfort on the J\Iaine, 



* The Hanseatic League was a celebrated association of 

 the Middle Ages. Toward the middle of the 13th century 

 both sea and land were covered with pirates and robbers, 

 and the flourishing commerce of Germany was cspeciallj- 

 exposed. This suggested a league for mutual assistance, 

 and a confederacy was formed in 1239, between Hamburg, 

 and the districts of the Ditmarschen and Hadeln, which 

 was joined by Lubeck in 1241. In a short time, the league 

 increased to such a degree, that it comprised 85 towns. 

 They established 4 great factories abroad ; namely, at 



Jjondon, Bruges, Novogorod, and Bergen in Norway, and 

 grew so powerful that they ruled by their treasures and 

 arms a great part of northern Europe. On one occasion 

 they armed a fleet against Denmark, of 248 vessels, and 

 12,000 soldiers. When the dangers of trading by sea and 

 land diminished, the league declined. The last assembly 

 was held at Lubeck, in 1C30. The most distinguished 

 towns in the confederacy, were Lubeck, Hamburg, and 

 Bremen. These 3 cities, with Dantzic, formed a new 

 league after the dissolution of the former. 



