WESTPHALIA, one of the circles of Germany. Anciently the people inhabiting between the Weser and the Rhine, were called Westphalians; and hence that tract got the name of Westphalia: but the circle of that name is of a larger extent, being surrounded by the circle of Burgundy, or the Austrian Netherlands, the United Provinces, and the North sea, with the circles of the Upper and Lower Rhine, and comprising a great many different states.
With respect to religion, Westphalia is partly Protestant and partly Catholic; but the Protestants predominate, and are, at least the greater part of them, Calvinists. The air of this country is not reckoned very wholesome, and towards the north is extremely cold in winter. The soil in general is marshy and barren; yet there is some good corn and pasture land; but the fruit is chiefly used to feed hogs; and hence it is that their bacon and hams are so much valued and admired.
After the peace of Tilsit in 1807, the principalities of Hanover, Brunswick, Magdeburg, Old Mark, Hesse Cassel, with some other territories, were erected into the kingdom of Westphalia, which was governed by Jerome Bonaparte. This state disappeared on the overthrow of the French power in 1814, and the territories which composed it were restored to their former princes. Jerome Bonaparte's court was kept at Cassel, the capital of the principality of Hesse.