OSNABURG, a bishopric of Germany, situated in the centre of the circle of Westphalia, between the Weser and the Ems, having Minden on the east, Munster on the west, Diepholt on the north-east, and Ravensburg on the south-west. It is about 45 miles long and 25 broad, producing some rye, several sorts of turf, coals, marble, and good pasturage. The inhabitants, who are a mixture of Protestants and Roman Catholics, breed a considerable number of cattle, especially hogs, of which they make excellent bacon and hams; but a great part of the country consists of heaths. By the treaty concluded here in 1648, the bishopric was to be an alternative between the Roman Catholics and Lutherans; and the Lutheran bishop was to be a younger prince of the house of Brunswick Lunenburg, or in failure thereof, of Brunswick Wolfenbuttle. In consequence of this settlement, it has been twice held by a British prince since the accession of the family of Hanover. In 1802 this bishopric was secularized and added to Hanover on certain conditions, and now forms a part of that kingdom. The bishopric had a population of about 130,000 souls. Of the peasants, 6000 go yearly to Holland, where they mow, till, cut turf, and do other work for hire. The meanest of them brings home twenty, and the best workmen seventy florins. Bishop Ernest established a salt-work at Dissen; and the same bishop opened a silver mine, but this undertaking was not prosecuted. The chief manufactures of the country are a coarse kind of linen cloth and yarn, which are said to bring into it annually about 1,000,000 of rixdollars. There are also some woollen manufactures in Osnaburg and Bramsche. The land estates of the bishopric were, the chapter, the knights, and the four towns. The diets were held at Osnaburg, when called together by the bishop. The count of Bar was hereditary seneschal or steward, and president of the college of knights. The bishop was a prince of the empire; and in the matricula is rated at six horse and 36 foot, or 216
florins monthly, in lieu of them. To the chamber of Osnaburg the empire he contributed each term 81 rixdollars, 14 kruitzers and a half. The capital of this bishopric is