MUNSTER, a bishopric of Germany in the circle of Westphalia, and territories of Prussia; bounded on the north by Embden and Oldenburg, on the south by the county of Mark and duchy of Westphalia, on the west by the county of Bentheim and the United Provinces, and on the east by the bishoprics of Osnaburgh and Paderborn together with the county of Ravensberg. It is the largest of all the Westphalian bishoprics, being in length about 80 miles, and in breadth from 20 to 60, and contains 350,000 inhabitants. It is divided into 13 bailiwicks; and though in general but a bar-
ren country, has some fruitful plains, with woods, and quarries of stone. The inhabitants, excepting a few of the nobility and gentry, are all Roman Catholics; though Lutheranism had once a considerable footing here. The bishop, who was generally also elector of Cologne, has a revenue of about 70,000 pounds, and can maintain 8000 men. By an unjust custom, unknown in the rest of the empire, he is heir to all strangers who die in the country without children. In the matricula he is rated at 30 foot and 118 horse; or 832 florins monthly in lieu of them. His chapter consists of 40 canons, who are all noble.